Three departing School Board members recognized for service to district
January 4, 2017
With the end of 2016 comes the departure of three Moorhead School Board members. Long-time members Lisa Erickson and Cindy Fagerlie did not run for re-election to the board, and in late November Laurie Johnson announced her departure from the board.
Cassidy Bjorklund and Melissa Burgard, who were elected Nov. 8, will take their seats on the board Jan. 9. At that meeting, the board will discuss the process for filling the vacant seat for the remainder of the term created with Johnson’s move out of state.
In December, the three outgoing board members were recognized for their collective 35 years of service to the district.
“We benefited from your service, benefited from your wisdom, and we benefit from the fact you made a commitment to the community,” said Bill Tomhave, School Board chair.
Erickson, who has served on the board since 2000, said she was surprised when she joined the board to learn about the various funded and unfunded mandates with which the school district must comply. She also learned that at times unpopular decisions for a few had to be made in the best interest of the district.
“Outstanding administration and leadership offered a variety of perspectives to help the board make our decisions,” she said. “We are a respectful board and work hard to make a majority decision and let the voters know our position as a group.”
Decision making is something Fagerlie, who has served on the board since 2004, learned about too.
“Decision making becomes more complex when considering all of whom it will affect,” Fagerlie said. “The consequences of your decisions as an elected official rest on your shoulders, and the decisions are then open to public scrutiny.”
Erickson is proud of the people of the district: voters, administrators who offer guidance to an ever-growing staff, support staff who ensure students’ needs are met, teachers who develop creative lessons to meet the ever-changing needs of learners, and the learners of all ages.
“Our district has been blessed by the support of the voters of the district for supporting our recently renovated and new buildings and the ones currently under construction, and also continued support of the operating levy,” Erickson said. “We have staff, teachers and students who do incredible things every day.”
Johnson, who has served on the board since 2011, is also proud of the district’s work with the task forces and the facility planning that led to the successful 2015 bond referendum.
Fagerlie is proud the board has been committed to being fiscally responsible to the community.
“The district is in an encouraging financial position after prudent planning and additional community support,” she said. “I believe the board’s actions and decisions have built a level of trust with our community that is very important to nurture and protect.”
She believes the 2009 defeat of the operating levy was an important lesson to learn.
“If we are asking for community support, our message defining our needs must be very clear,” she said.
She is proud of the passage and renewal of the operating levy and the passage of the bond referendum.
“The community stepped up with overwhelming support, underlining the fact that the citizens of Moorhead value education,” Fagerlie said.
Johnson said she learned a lot from several current board members and from past board member Kris Thompson.
Erickson had the opportunity to work with many different board members in the past 17 years.
“The one who taught me the most was board member Carol Ladwig,” Erickson said. “Her mentoring helped me understand my role as a board member. I have many fond memories of my time on the board.”
Fagerlie has sincerely enjoyed serving the school district and community and hopes she has made a positive impact for students, staff and community.
“Thank you to the community for supporting me in three elections, the staff and administration for their dedication and expertise, past/present board colleagues for their passion and commitment, and finally, my husband for his endless support and encouragement,” she said.
Johnson announced her departure from the board with many emotions in late November.
“It’s very bittersweet for us because Moorhead has become home for the last nine years,” Johnson said. “Our children have had many opportunities in Moorhead Schools, and I’m forever grateful for that. They’ve had some wonderful teachers and some wonderful coaches in their activities.
As a military family, Johnson said they have lived in six states.
“This is probably one of the toughest places that we’ve ever left,” she said. “I thank the community for allowing me the opportunity to be on the board for five years. I’m proud to say that at least one of my children got to graduate as a Spud.”
Photo caption: Lisa Erickson, Laurie Johnson and Cindy Fagerlie listen to remarks during a short reception Dec. 12 recognizing them for their service on the Moorhead School Board.
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