North Platte businessman Mitchell Wagner will be the Ward 3 representative on the North Platte public school board, following a 3–2 split vote on Thursday evening.

Wagner replaces Justin Thompson on the board, who moved to a new residence outside the school district. To fill the vacancy, the school board took applications, of which there were two, interviewed the candidates and held a discussion in open session.

Former teacher Jim Whitney and Wagner were the two candidates. Each applicant was questioned by board members on topics ranging from their available time, attitude toward teamwork, policy, governance, confidentiality, and vision for the district.

Whitney cited his experience both within and outside the district. He began his career at North Platte High in 1990 and retired in 2011. In addition to his time teaching in North Platte, he also taught in Hershey and Yutan. He emphasized the importance of listening, collaboration, and respecting differing viewpoints. He told the board that, while individual members hold no authority outside official board action, they play an important role in directing concerns to the appropriate administrators and in bringing issues forward through proper channels.

Whitney said his schedule would allow him to serve effectively. His only potential conflict is as a coach of high school boys’ soccer. He described a successful board meeting as one grounded in respectful discussion, thoughtful questions, and shared focus on students.

Wagner discussed his background in business and familiarity with education through family members and personal experience. Wagner and his wife own Papa Murphy’s in North Platte.

He said his professional experience has required him to develop and implement policies, adjust strategies when needed, and work toward shared goals. Wagner emphasized the importance of transparency while acknowledging the need to protect confidential information of students, staff, and in personnel matters.

Both candidates said they would work through disagreements as part of a team and support board decisions once votes are taken. Each also addressed the district’s strategic plan, emphasizing student success, strong teachers and administrators, and preparing students for both higher education and the workforce.

Following the interviews, board members noted that both applicants are strong candidates. Some members cited Whitney’s background in education is an advantage, particularly in understanding school policy, the chain of command, and governance. Whitney’s answers during the interview, particularly about listening, open communication, and understanding chain-of-command processes, were described as thoughtful and thorough.

Board member Skip Altig said Whitney’s knowledge of policies and expectations for teacher modeling would be a valuable asset. Vice-President JoAnn Lundgreen said beyond Whitney’s professional experience, his long-standing involvement in the community earned him respect and trust among those present, making him a familiar and reassuring choice for the board. 

Lundgreen then moved to appoint Whitney, with Altig seconding. But the motion failed with a 2 to 3 vote. Lundgreen and Altig voted yes, while President Emily Garrick, Secretary Cindy O’Connor, and board member Angela Blaesi voted no.

Board members said Wagner could bring strengths, particularly given his business experience and ability to understand policy implementation. Lundgreen voiced concern about his limited direct experience in education, familiarity with school board policy functions and chain-of-command processes.

However, Wagner’s willingness to learn and engage with the board was noted as a significant positive. Garrick and Blaesi said that his business perspective could fill a gap on the board and complement the existing mix of professional experiences.

Garrick noted that the board currently has three former employees of the district. While Whitney’s experience would be valuable, she said adding him might further skew representation toward district insiders. 

When asked for additional comments, Lundgreen said she has had limited personal interactions with Wagner, but some experiences with him during board meetings had not always been positive.

Wagner was a vocal critic of some of the measures taken during the COVID-19 outbreak. He made an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the school board in 2022.

Lundgreen expressed concern that certain business-world approaches might not translate directly to the unique environment of a school district. 

When the vote came, Wagner was appointed to fill the vacant seat, 3-2. Garrick, O’Connor, and Blaesi voted yes, and Lundgreen and Altig voted no. Wagner will be sworn in at the board’s next regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 12 and will serve the remainder of the term, which runs until the 2028 election.

The board thanked both applicants for their willingness to apply and participate, noting the importance of transparency and due diligence when filling a position without a public election.

Bulletin Editor George Lauby contributed to this report.

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