School Board

An update on the search for a new superintendent in the Falls school district is scheduled when the Falls School Board meets at 5 p.m. Monday in the Falls High School cafeteria.
Superintendent Don Langan is scheduled to discuss interviews and the transition between superintendents during his administrative report at the end of the meeting. Langan announced he would retire from the full-time superintendent position when the school board approves a new superintendent.

• Falls Elementary Principal Jerry Hilfer said Monday he had been in contact with law enforcement throughout the day following the arrest of a sixth grader as the alleged caller who left threats of violence on the district’s voice mail system.
Superintendent Don Langan said the communication system was successful and over 97 percent of parents were contacted. Within seconds, the system generated 2,056 calls, Langan said. The administration has received positive feedback on the system throughout the day, he said.

The Falls School Board is expected to fill a school board vacancy by appointment during its meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in the Falls High School cafeteria.
Candidates for the position are Karen Bates, Roberta Ingvaldson, Stuart Nordquist, Michelle Hebner and Willi Kostiuk. The position was left vacant with the resignation of Amy Hardwig-Eberspacher.
The appointed board member will serve until January and the position will be open for the November election.

The Falls School Board committee meeting scheduled to be held tonight at Falls High School is canceled.

The Falls School Board is scheduled to meet as a committee to discuss two items.
The meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday in room 130 at Falls High School.
The board is scheduled to discuss a vacant school board position. The board in March interviewed five candidates for the position. Those candidates are Karen Bates, Roberta Ingvaldson, Stuart Nordquist, Michelle Hebner and Willi Kostiuk. The position was left vacant with the resignation of Amy Hardwig-Eberspacher.

Falls School Board to start search for new superintendent

The Falls school district is expected to begin a search for a new superintendent as its current leader prepares for retirement.
Superintendent Don Langan announced at a committee meeting Tuesday his plan to retire as a full-time superintendent, effective before or on Dec. 31. Langan said the December date gives the Falls School Board time to choose a new superintendent.
Langan has been the superintendent in International Falls for four years.

The Falls school board will meet in committee Tuesday.
The special meeting is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. in room 130 at Falls High School.
Because the board is meeting in committee, no action will be taken.
Board members are scheduled to interview Willi Kostiuk, a candidate for a seat on the board vacated by Amy Hardwig-Eberspacher.
Other candidates for the position were interviewed by the board last week. Those candidates include Karen Bates, Roberta Ingvaldson, Stuart Nordquist, and Michelle Hebner.

International Falls School Superintendent Don Langan presented information on two leading school district issues, among others, to the Falls School Board Monday.
One relates to the recent school threat; and another to his proposal on becoming the superintendent for the Ely school district, which would divide his attention as superintendent for the Falls district.
Primary in the discussion at the meeting were the comments, concerns and recommendations following the recent phoned-in threats to the schools.

Officials listen to parents on emergency response plan

A communication system, better security and traffic control were recommended in an effort to help improve the Falls school district’s emergency response plan.
Parents in Falls High School cafeteria were calm Thursday as they told their thoughts and ideas to Falls school officials and law enforcement officials. Some parents also questioned officials about the events of March 5-6 after an explanation of the events was given. Audience members made comments anonymously to ensure equality among all audience members, according to Langan.

The Falls School Board is expected to give an update on two threats of violence that closed the school at its meeting Monday.
The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Falls High School cafeteria.
The first threat of violence evacuated the district’s buildings last week. The buildings remained closed the following day after a second threat was received.
A meeting is planned Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the FHS cafeteria to allow community members to give input on the school district’s emergency response plan to school and law enforcement officials.