Five teaching positions open at NR-S School

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 11, the New Rockford-Sheyenne School Board approved the resignations of two more teachers – Mark Huber and Julie Westrick, who taught science and social studies, respectively.

The latest pair of resignations comes a month after the board also approved the resignations of John and Kendall Christiansen, both elementary teachers, as well as the retirement of Kent Brown, the district’s longtime math teacher and technology coordinator.

Huber’s resignation letter outlines challenges he’s faced over the last decade at NR-S. He wrote, in part, “I wish this separation between the District and myself were more amicable. ... Though I stand quite proud of all I’ve accomplished in spite of everything I’ve been through with this school, that we were never able to find a way to compromise will always be my chief regret.”

Huber’s full letter of resignation can be found on the April 10, 2023 agenda, which is posted to the district’s website under the “district info” and “school board” tabs.

The Transcript reached out to school board president Mike Jacobson regarding Huber’s letter, and in an email response said he would not be making any comments regarding NR-S district personnel.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Jacobson thanked Westrick – who was in attendance that evening – for her time with the school district.

Westrick has been teaching at NR-S since 2021, and said in her resignation letter that she’ll miss the personal connections she’s made over the past two years.

“Please accept my gratitude for allowing me to begin my teaching career at New Rockford-Sheyenne School,” she wrote.

 Meanwhile, the school board is undergoing the contemplated discharge of Matt Shaffer, and NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters told the board Monday that a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18.

“We’ll be meeting, I assume, with an administrative law judge to find out what that process and procedure looks like and how we present that to this board appropriately,” added Louters.

At their meeting in March, the board unanimously carried a motion to officially contemplate the discharge of Matt Shaffer. Louters confirmed on Wednesday that last month’s motion was done in compliance with N.D. Century Code 15.1-15-07.

That section of century code states that a school board may dismiss a teacher prior to the expiration of their contract for any of the following causes:

• immoral conduct

• insubordination

• conviction of a felony

• conduct unbecoming the position held by the individual

• failure to perform contracted duties without justification

• gross inefficiency that the individual has failed to correct after written notice

• continuing physical or mental disability that renders the individual unfit or unable to perform the individual’s duties.

Neither Louters nor Jacobson commented on which of those seven causes they’re using to justify the potential discharge of Shaffer, who has been employed with the district since the fall of 2021.

Century code outlines the procedure a school district should follow when contemplating discharge for cause, including the fact that it must utilize an administrative law judge to preside over a hearing.

Both the district and Shaffer – as well as their legal representatives – would attend, and unless agreed to by all parties, the hearing would be held in an executive session closed to the public.

Century code states, “At the conclusion of the hearing, the administrative law judge shall provide all evidence presented at the hearing to the board in order that the board may make a determination regarding the discharge.”

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, Louters said the school is advertising for their open positions in a number of different ways, such as with the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders, on local Facebook pages governed by public education institutions in North Dakota, and on Indeed.com.

Louters said they’re also looking at options internally and within the local community.

The school’s job openings page on their website lists the following open positions:

• Full-time Elementary Teacher

• Full-time Social Studies Teacher

• Full-time Science Teacher

• Full-time Math Teacher

• Full-time Guidance Counselor

• Full or part-time Custodial positions

• Bus Drivers (School Route Drivers & Activity Bus Drivers)

• Substitute Teachers and Substitute Paraprofessionals

So far, the school board has hired one new teacher, Steven Stutlien, for high school math. Anyone interested in applying for a position with NR-S School District should contact Dr. Louters. Resume and reference information can be submitted via email to [email protected]..

The school board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m.