The New London School Board held a tense special session Wednesday night centered around leadership changes and questions over board procedure.
A special board member election was held as Board President Mike McBeth resigned from his role as president, and Vice President Kyle Helmerson then declined the opportunity to step into the position.
Board member Jen Loyd was nominated and approved by fellow board members to serve as the new board president. Jessica Boyer voted against the motion, saying she wanted the opportunity to speak with the school district’s attorney before officially assuming the role.
Boyer was told she could not speak with the attorney until after the meeting concluded. McBeth shared he had already sought legal guidance prior to the meeting, though that guidance reportedly came from an attorney with the Iowa Association of School Boards, not directly from the school district’s attorney.
Boyer and board member Becky Hayes raised concerns about whether the board was properly following procedure, specifically questioning whether McBeth could remain on the board after resigning as president.
The public portion of the meeting concluded as the board voted to enter closed session. Before voting, a letter was shared from Superintendent Chad Wahls’ regarding his yearly evaluation. Wahls submitted a letter requesting that his review be conducted in closed session, citing concerns that information discussed publicly could cause what he described as “irreparable injury” to his reputation.