Two new Menahga School Board members will be elected this November.

One position is for one year, the other for three years.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Polling hours are 2 to 8 p.m. at Wolf Lake Lions Hall and Menahga City Hall.

Helen Lehto filed for the three-year position. In January 2021, she was appointed to a one-year term that expires in January 2022.

No candidates filed for the one-year term, so a write-in is needed.

Superintendent search workshop

Barb Dorm, director of leadership development and executive search for the Minnesota School Boards Association, met with the board on Monday, Oct. 25 for an informal workshop.

Dorm provided an overview of the superintendent search process, which typically takes 3 to 4 months, she said.

Superintendent Kevin Wellen will retire in December 2021.

Board chair Andrea Haverinen said she thinks it was important to determine the district’s needs prior to putting out a call for an interim or permanent superintendent.

Determining hiring criteria and a leadership profile is important, Dorm agreed.

She recommended that the district solicit input from stakeholders – staff, students, parents, community members and business owners – through a brief, online survey.

It should be clear, however, that the school board is the hiring authority, Dorm added.

One of the first decisions to be made is whether or not the board wishes to hire a consultant or utilize an in-house, human resources person.

If there is an internal candidate interested in becoming superintendent, then a wider search may not be necessary, Dorm noted.