School board member needed, athletic director honored

School Board members voted Monday to appoint a new board member rather than holding a special election when Sarah Plante-Buhs steps down on Jan. 3. The replacement board member would be appointed on Jan. 6, but wouldn't take their seat until the first board meeting in February.

Plante-Buhs submitted her letter of resignation halfway through her term, after she was elected to serve as District 1 Carlton County Commissioner in November. Whoever replaces her will serve through Jan. 1, 2027.

Board discussion of holding a special election was minimal, due to a lack of timeliness - the earliest a special election could be held is April 8 - as well as cost.

And then there's the fact that only two people filed in the most recent election, when there were three seats open. The third seat was filled by write-in vote.

"We didn't have a ton of people running for the current election, and I don't know if it would be different if you ran a special election," superintendent Michael Cary said.

Applications can be found at http://www.isd94.org - under "news" on the home page - and are due by noon Monday, Dec. 9. They can also be accessed using the QR code with the ad on Page 7. School board members will meet in committee at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon to go through the applications and determine whether or not they want to hold interviews. Then the board would have a couple weeks before Christmas break to do interviews if that's what they decided to do. Cary stressed that any interviews or discussions of the applications must be public meetings.

"And that all presumes that we have one or more applicants, right?" Cary said.

Board member Hawk Huard said he'd like to see the two new board members elected in November - Nichole Diver and LeAnn Butler - take part in the selection process. Cary pointed out that they can sit in on the public meetings when applications are vetted, and they will be voting board members on Jan. 6.

The applications include questions on background, why people want to serve and their understanding of the decision-making process. They can be dropped off at the district office on the first floor of the Garfield School or emailed to [email protected]. There is no fee to apply.

Board members make $300 per month plus $85 for meetings outside of the normal scheduled board meetings. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen and eligible to vote, a resident of the Cloquet School District for at least 30 days and no record of criminal sexual misconduct for which registration is required.

Although the board is starting the application process and will vet the applications in December, they cannot vote on an appointment until after Plante-Buhs steps down on Jan. 3. The board could vote on an appointment at its Jan. 6 meeting. At that point, the clock would start ticking on a 30-day waiting period to allow the public to petition against the appointment.

Provided no disqualifying objections emerged, the new board member could take their seat at the Feb. 10 meeting.

"We could have a new member seated for our first February board meeting with no more cost than what it takes to bring the board together to review and consider the applicants," said Cary, who advocated for having a full board as soon as possible.

Last call for shots

It's that time of year again. Students who are not current on their immunizations may soon be asked to stay home from school, unless their parents either get them caught up or register formally with the school district that they conscientiously object to vaccinations.

"They must do one or the other," Cary said, explaining that it's state law. Students who can't be immunized for medical reasons can get a note from the doctor.

Cary said nurses have let the families of the remaining few unvaccinated children know the district will soon be sending out notifications that their student can't attend.

"They've made repetitive attempts to contact families," Cary said. "The last effort will be one more text message.

"We're not forcing people to immunize their children if they don't want to, but if they're not up to date, they at least have to put on file with us that they object.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on-time vaccination throughout childhood helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines use very small amounts of antigens to help the immune system recognize and learn to fight serious diseases. Antigens are the parts of a germ that cause the body's immune system to go to work. Immunizations also help stop disease from spreading from healthier children to those with weakened immune systems or who can't be vaccinated.

Recognized

• Cloquet activities director Paul Riess was named the Region 7AA activities director of the year for 2024.

• Cloquet Area Alternative Education Program math teacher Rod Syck was honored at the Minnesota Rural Education Association summit with the "innovation program award." Syck created something called an "aquatics program" at the alternative school, ostensibly to raise fish but the course offers cross-curricular learning that integrates math, science, art, and language arts. It also helps students learn life skills and responsibility, according to an MREA story on the program.

"What sets this program apart is its impact on students' personal growth," the MREA story states, quoting a student who said the aquatics class was the only reason they came to school today. "Students arrive early, stay through lunch, and prioritize their involvement. It's a space where learning happens organically. As one participant put it, 'It's more fun. I mean, it's learning, but it's hands-on. You don't really tell it's learning.'"

The program was also awarded a $1,000 grant by the Northland Foundation, which the school board approved Monday.

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Get on the board

Want to throw your hat in the ring?

Applications for a soon-to-be open seat on the Cloquet School board are available online at https://www.isd94.org/article/1894974 or the district office on the first floor of the Garfield School at 302 14th St., Cloquet. To submit, email to [email protected] or mail/drop off at the district office.