Dec. 23—GRAND FORKS — The board governing Grand Forks Air Force Base’s sole school is seeking a new member in light of an expected vacancy.
Arielle Neumann, one of the five members of the air base’s School Board, submitted her resignation effective Dec. 31, ahead of an expected transfer to Colorado Springs Air Force Base in March.
The base district is now seeking someone to fill her seat for the remaining six months of her term.
“We have a short term to fill in before June 30, and the sooner we get that done, the better,” Business Manager Brandon Baumbach said at a board meeting Tuesday.
While Grand Forks Public Schools administers and staffs the air base school district’s sole school, Nathan Twining Elementary and Middle School, the base district is a legally separate entity and has its own board.
The air base School Board, unlike the elected Grand Forks School Board, is appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with input from the base commander and approval from the State Board of Public School Education.
Baumbach said the district is seeking applications to fill Neumann’s position through Jan. 15.
Applicants must be an active or retired service member who is currently serving or has served on Grand Forks Air Force Base, or a spouse of an active or retired service member assigned to the base, and reside on the base or within 20 miles of the base, and within North Dakota.
Whoever fills Neumann’s position for the remainder of her term will require approval from the rest of the board as well as the base commander.
That person will also be eligible to apply for a full three-year term when Neumann’s term ends in June. Board President Michelle Shepperd’s appointed term will also end in June.