G-E-T school board sees reorganization

The Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District’s board of education saw some shuffling last week.

The board approved its new leader after the recent resignation of former President Larry Moore and also swore in its newest member.

Pat Malone was elected as the new president of the board by a 5-4 vote, with Adam Leavitt garnering the other four votes.

Malone was nominated by board member Todd Roessler, while Leavitt was nominated by Mark Kopp. 

The vote between the two candidates was taken by secret written ballot. The nomination of a president is the one time a public board is allowed to conduct such a vote with no names tied to each vote.

Malone told the Times after the meeting that she looks forward to leading the board.

“I fully acknowledge the challenge that being a school board president is,” Malone said.

“We have a lot of work to do looking at our policies. I’m really looking forward to wrestling with our strategic plan and getting it implemented because that really is focused on improving student outcomes, and that’s what schools are for.”

The board also swore in its newest member, Kara Nelson.

Nelson will represent Galesville on the board until April of 2024, when her seat will be up for election.

Nelson replaces Paul Kinzer, who resigned from the board last month in the aftermath of the school district’s handling of a book removal from the middle school library.

Nelson was one of four applicants to fill the open seat alongside Samantha Oliver, Kari Schulz and Randy Larson.

Her appointment was approved by earning four (Oliver two, Schulz one) of the possible seven votes at the July 24 special board meeting.