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Etta Shepard, a former member of the Board of Education for Northland Community Schools, was chosen by the board, Thursday, to fill a seat left vacant following the resignation of board member Bill Hansen.

At the board's regular meeting, held in Federal Dam, Dave Kitchenhoff said he would like to have Shepard, and the experience that comes with her, on the board to serve the remainder of Hansen's term.

Rusty Lilyquist said he thought the vacancy should be advertised, giving others in the district a chance to fill the vacancy.

Chairman, Terry Gross said he had talked with Rhett Johnson, from Remer. Johnson had no interest in sitting on another board. He currently serves on three boards.

In a roll call vote, Lilyquist was the lone no vote cast to appoint Shepard to the board. The Oath of Office was administered to Shepard near the conclusion of the meeting.

Another resignation within the district, that of Technology Coordinator Tim Vagle, left a position vacancy for the 2011-2012 school year. Northland will buy into a contract Deer River High School has with their Technology Coordinator, Mark Curtis for services two days a week, at a cost of $30,000 annually, plus mileage.

The board reviewed a preliminary 2011-2012 budget prepared by Interim Superintendent, Dr. Ron Bratlie. Recommendations made by Dr. Bratlie, which had previously been approved by the board, brought the large gap between revenue and expenses closer together. Dr. Bratlie projects Revenue for the 2011-2012 school year to be $5,190,389. Expenses are estimated to be $5,269,744, ending with deficit spending of $79,355. The board had previously directed Dr. Bratlie to identify additional cuts in expenditures. At Thursday's meeting, Dr. Bratlie targeted $93,000 the district could realize in cuts. Targeted cuts include: an anticipated cut of $10,000 in overtime expenses; saving $35,000 in secondary substitute staffing; reassignment of clerical staff, following the retirement of Executive Secretary, Kathy Burch, saving the district $38,000; plus a change is covering absences for the custodial department, allowing another $10,000 savings. Dr. Bratlie issued caution, his figures were only a best guess estimate based on past numbers. He told the board if all things come together as budgeted, the district could end the 2011-2012 school year $13,000 in the black. The board had faced a large deficit at the end of next school year. Making hard, but necessary cuts will, at least temporarily, help keep the district out of the red.[[In-content Ad]]

Dr. Bratlie reported the insurance claim for damage at the Longville School will likely be $180,000. The proceeds will be used towards the district's debt service. No funds will be used to do any repairs to the facility.

A retirement party will be held in the High School Cafeteria, at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, May 25, honoring district retirees: Mary Ann Atkinson, Colleen Belgum, Dale Foss, Sonja Foss, Roxann Lathrop, Susan Majors and Donna Wilkinson. The public is invited to attend.

In other board business, the board:

•Certified the senior class of 2011 for graduation.

•Approved a Special Education Director Contract with Josh Robinson.

•Approved Jeanette Brown as the district's Reading Corps Tutor for grades kindergarten through three, half-time position.

The next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m., on Thursday, June 16, at the Sugar Point Community Center.

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