New handbook gives KM clarity on board officers succession

The Kasson-Mantorville School Board on Monday approved its newly developed school board handbook, which included making the clerk the acting chair in the event of the board chair and vice chair’s absence.
KM currently does not appoint a vice chair.
But during the meeting, Clerk Kate Ryan didn’t serve as the chair, despite School Board Chair Mark Torkelson’s absence.
“This absence was preplanned, as Chair Torkelson is in North Carolina,” Superintendent Beth Giese wrote in an email. “I believe the Clerk will be present tonight; however, he asked Ms. (Angie) Richards to step in given her prior experience as Board Chair.”
The move marked the end of a longstanding informal practice of utilizing the clerk or board treasurer to fill in as chair. Up until Monday night, KM did not have a policy in place for how the board chair’s temporary replacement is decided, Giese confirmed.
Historical Practices
While KM had no formal policy in place, a review done by the Dodge County Independent of past board minutes found numerous occasions where the clerk filled in for the chair.
“You are correct, historically we have utilized the Clerk in the Chair’s absence. Angie will be filling the role of Acting Chair this evening due to her experience,” Ryan wrote in an email ahead of Monday’s meeting. “Moving forward, as a board, we plan to follow past practices and utilize the Clerk when the Chair is absent. You’ll also find this outlined in our newly developed School Board Handbook on tonight’s agenda for approval.”
Given past practices, was Ryan asked to serve as acting chair during the meeting?
When asked if she had been offered the temporary post, Ryan wrote “I am not prepared to serve in this role this evening, but am planning on it, as Clerk, moving forward.”
Asked specifically, “Were you offered the opportunity to lead tonight’s meeting?,” Ryan did not respond.
Requests for comment from Torkelson went unanswered.
Fight 
for chair
It is no secret that Ryan previously wanted to serve in the role of chair.
During their January reorganization meeting, board members split 4-3 on the vote for chair, choosing Torkelson over Ryan. Ryan then ran for clerk and won that position on another 4-3 vote.
Torkelson voted for Patrick Madery over Ryan.