At a regular meeting of the Minot School Board, an executive session was held to discuss the discharge of a Minot Public School teacher. After approving a series of staff resignations, the board heard Superintendent Mark Vollmer’s recommendation for the board to initiate the process of discharging Heather Raknerud.

“I’m making the recommendation to contemplate the discharge of teacher Heather Raknerud from her current contract for conduct unbecoming her position and failure to perform contracted duties without justification,” Vollmer said.

The board’s attorney, Rachel Bruner, took part in the meeting, explaining the procedure and the scope of the discussion of the executive meeting. Bruner made it clear that what was taking place was not a hearing and would not include any discussion of facts or allegations.

The North Dakota Century Code requires the board of a school district to petition the office of administrative hearings for the appointment of an administrative law judge to preside over the hearing being contemplated. The board moved and passed a motion to petition for an administrative law judge. The hearing will take place in a closed meeting at a date and time set by the judge. All determinations of the school board may be appealed in district court.

The board then held an executive session to further discuss discharging Raknerud. The board adjourned after the completion of the executive session.