By Allison Peck | North Platte Post
The North Platte School Board appointed Mitchell Wagner to fill the Ward 3 board vacancy following a special meeting on Thursday evening. Wagner, who will be officially sworn in at the board’s regular meeting on January 12, will begin serving immediately upon taking the oath.
The vacancy was created by Justin Thompson, who resigned from the board late last year after moving out of the region.
The board interviewed two candidates for the open seat — Wagner and Jim Whitney — during the special meeting. Both applicants had submitted written responses to preliminary questions in advance, allowing board members time to review their qualifications, experience, and perspectives before conducting live interviews.
Interview Process and Candidate Backgrounds
During the interviews, board members asked a series of questions aimed at understanding how each candidate would approach board governance, policy-making, confidentiality, teamwork, and community representation.
Whitney, a retired educator with experience as a coach and school administrator, highlighted his background in education and familiarity with district operations. He emphasized the importance of listening, collaboration, and following established policy and chain-of-command procedures. Whitney also noted his flexible schedule and ability to dedicate time to board responsibilities.
Watch the Board of Education Special Election Meeting above
Wagner discussed his background in business and his upbringing in a family of educators, saying both experiences shaped his understanding of leadership and accountability. He emphasized the importance of representing the community, listening to constituent concerns, and supporting the district’s mission while maintaining confidentiality on sensitive matters.
Board President Emily Garrick acknowledged the rigor of the interview process and the seriousness with which the board approached the appointment.
“I think we’ve had a couple of really great applications put before us and a couple of great interviews tonight with some similarities, but also some pretty contrasting differences on that,” Garrick said.
She also addressed the nature of the questioning during the interviews, noting the board’s responsibility to thoroughly vet candidates in the absence of a public election.
“Some of those questions were pretty loaded questions that you had no idea we were going to ask you,” Garrick said. “But we also recognize the importance of this role. And when there’s not a public election process, making sure that we’re really doing our due diligence as a board to interview all applicants fairly.”
Board Deliberations
Following the interviews, the board entered into deliberations, discussing both candidates’ strengths and potential challenges. Whitney was recognized for his extensive experience in education and long-standing ties to the school district.
However, some board members raised concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest when a board member has close personal or professional connections to the district.
Board President Garrick described the decision as particularly difficult.
In her view, a broader community focus and fewer potential conflicts of interest would be in the best interest of the board at this time.
Vice President Jo Ann Lundgreen also shared her perspective on Wagner, referencing previous interactions during board meetings.
“I have been on the board long enough that I’ve had, not personal interactions with Mr. Wagner, but I have had some interactions with him at our board meetings. And I can’t say that all of those have been positive. I think that comes with the territory sometimes,” Lundgreen said. “While I can appreciate a business mindset, schools do run differently from businesses. It will be interesting to have an opportunity to learn and grow. That’s what we’re all about.”
Ward One Board Member Skip Altig echoed similar concerns during deliberations.
Final Vote
A motion to appoint Whitney to the vacant seat failed on a 2–3 vote. The board then called a vote to appoint Wagner, which passed.
Board President Emily Garrick, along with board members Cindy O’Connor and Angela Blaesi, voted in favor of appointing Wagner. Altig and Lundgreen voted against the motion.
In a statement to The Post, Wagner said, “I am grateful for the board’s vote of confidence and look forward to representing the constituents and doing my best to assist in providing the best possible education for the area’s youth.”
Board members thanked both applicants for their willingness to participate in a public interview process, noting the difficulty of answering challenging questions in a public setting.
With Wagner’s appointment, the Ward 3 seat is now filled, and the board will continue its work addressing district priorities, governance, and student success.