The school board convened to address the resignation of director Enrique Velasquez, effective September 13th, and to establish a process for appointing his replacement. The board acknowledged the need for a special election due to the remaining term of over two years, which must be held before the first Tuesday in November 2025. This means that regardless of the appointment process, a special election will occur in 2025, followed by another regular election in November 2026.

In light of the upcoming election, the board proposed a timeline for the appointment process, opening candidacy filings from September 10th to September 16th. Candidates will submit affidavits, which must be notarized, and will respond to standardized questions provided by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA). The board plans to review these responses during a study session on September 23rd, where members will privately cast their votes without public discussion on individual candidates.

The board discussed the importance of transparency and the need for a clear procedure, given the lack of a formal process in the past. Some members expressed a desire for more time to review candidates' information before the meeting, while others felt that discussing candidates publicly could lead to bias. Ultimately, the board agreed to receive candidate information simultaneously during the study session, ensuring that all members have equal access to the materials.

The motion to accept Velasquez's resignation and approve the proposed appointment process passed with a vote of 5-1. The board emphasized the importance of filling the vacancy promptly to maintain a quorum for future meetings, especially with critical votes approaching. The community will be informed of the process through public notices, ensuring that residents are aware of the upcoming election and appointment timeline.