Fosston board approves teacher leaves, separations and several tenures; job posted for industrial tech

The Fosston Public School District Board of Education on May 4 approved multiple personnel actions including an extended leave to enable a teacher to qualify for retirement credit, separation agreements, tenure recommendations and a resignation tied to a posting to replace a departing industrial technology teacher.

The board approved a three-year extended leave of absence for Kristen Perry so she can reach 30 years of service and meet Teachers Retirement Association rules for retirement credit. A personnel committee member explained the rationale: "The new retirement rule is 60 at least 60 years of age and at least 30 years of service. Kristen currently has 29 years of service and so her request to the district was in essence to... be on leave of absence to get that 30th year," and said legal language was vetted by district counsel to protect both the district and the employee. The motion passed by roll-call vote, with all directors voting yes.

The board also approved separation agreements for staff members referenced in the packet, including a high school science teacher and preschool/business teacher Jody Guten. Board discussion noted those positions are not planned to be immediately backfilled and clarified that separated employees who do not have district-issued health insurance will be responsible for purchasing coverage (for example, COBRA) if they choose.

Tenure approvals were granted to several teachers after board members highlighted professional growth and program impact. Band teacher Anders W., elementary teacher Joseph Woods and construction careers teacher Anthony Scoutton received tenure with unanimous votes. Board members cited classroom effectiveness, program development and student outcomes during the brief discussion.

The board accepted the resignation of industrial technology teacher Mila Donovan effective at the end of the school year and praised her work rebuilding the district's FFA program. Following that acceptance, the board authorized posting the industrial technology position and instructed administrators to begin recruitment immediately.

All personnel votes were recorded by roll call with directors present voting in the affirmative on the items presented that night. The board indicated it will bring staffing-savings projections and more formalized calculations to a future work session.