In May 2023, the Williston Basin School District faced another vacancy in its business manager position. Kent Anderson, who was hired in January of that year, resigned on May 21st and requested to leave on May 31st. No specific details were provided in his resignation letter, and he has declined to comment until the board reviews the situation on May 28th.
During his time with the district, Anderson played a crucial role in helping it navigate through two petition audits conducted by the North Dakota State Auditor’s Office. The previous business manager, Sherri Heser, had resigned in July 2022. Superintendent Richard Faidley praised Anderson for his work in managing the district’s finances and assisting with the audits. He mentioned that Anderson had committed to helping the district through the audits but was possibly ready to move on due to commuting from Dickinson several days a week.
With Anderson’s resignation, the school board is now expected to launch a nationwide search for a new business manager. In the interim, they may choose to hire another individual or an accounting firm to fill the position. Faidley assured that the district will continue to proactively manage its finances and operations during this transition period. The district expressed confidence that they would be able to find a suitable candidate for this important role soon.
Overall, this latest vacancy highlights the challenges of finding qualified candidates for important positions within schools districts, especially during a pandemic when many people are reevaluating their careers and work-life balance. It also emphasizes how crucial it is for schools districts to have strong financial management practices in place as they navigate through these uncertainties.
In conclusion, while Anderson’s departure leaves a void in his role as business manager at Williston Basin School District, it presents an opportunity for them to reaffirm their commitment to sound financial management practices and find a suitable replacement who can help them continue on their path towards success.
