DULUTH — The Duluth School Board has its first new chairperson in five years.
Jill Lofald, a retired language arts teacher and decorated speech coach who represents western Duluth in District 4, said during the reorganizational meeting Monday she was not seeking reelection to the position. Calling it a “great time to have some new energy," she nominated Kelly Durick Eder, one of three at large board members.
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Superintendent John Magas and Durick Eder, who served as treasurer for the past three years, commended Lofald for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, strategic planning and two referendums, as well as serving on the committee that hired Magas.
“Chair Lofald has navigated this board through challenging times,” Durick Eder said.
Lofald was elected vice chair after receiving a nomination from Rosie Loeffler-Kemp, who served in that position for the last three years.
Sarah Mikesell, who represents many of the city’s easterly neighborhoods in District 2, was elected clerk with a nomination from Durick Eder. Amber Sadowski served in that position for the past two years.
Sadowski, another at large board member, was named treasurer with a nomination from Henry Banks.
All board positions were voted by acclamation, meaning members were automatically elected because it was uncontested.
Board members, who serve four-year terms, receive a stipend of $630 each month. The chairperson is paid an additional $52.50 monthly.
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Lofald recommended no pay raises for school board members in 2025 but suggested the board conduct a study in the next couple of years. “Compensation for school board members of districts our size, Duluth goes right in line,” she said.
The Duluth School Board’s regular meetings are on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise scheduled, at the District Service Center, 709 Portia Johnson Drive, on the former Duluth Central High School campus. Meetings are also livestreamed and recorded for later viewing at youtube.com/@DuluthSchools.
District 1: Rosie Loeffler-Kemp
Represents: Duluth city precincts 1-5, 7; City of Rice Lake; Gnesen, Lakewood, Normanna, North Star townships; unorganized precincts 2, 23
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 218-341-2014, rosalie.loefflerkemp@isd709.org
District 2: Sarah Mikesell, clerk
Represents: Duluth city precincts 6, 8-14
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-206-6932, sarah.mikesell@isd709.org
District 3: Henry Banks
Represents: Duluth city precincts 15-19, 22-25
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-461-1690, henry.banks@isd709.org
District 4: Jill Lofald, vice chairperson
Represents: Duluth city precincts 21, 26-30, 32-34
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 218-391-4696, jill.lofald@isd709.org
At large: Kelly Durick Eder, chairperson
Represents: All Duluth city precincts; City of Rice Lake; Gnesen, Lakewood, Normanna, North Star townships; unorganized precincts 2, 23
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 701-741-6003, kelly.durickeder@isd709.org
At large: Stephanie Williams
Represents: All Duluth city precincts; City of Rice Lake; Gnesen, Lakewood, Normanna, North Star townships; unorganized precincts 2, 23
Term expires: Jan. 3, 2028
Contact: 218-260-2957, stephanie.williams@isd709.org
At large: Amber Sadowski, treasurer
Represents: All Duluth city precincts; City of Rice Lake; Gnesen, Lakewood, Normanna, North Star townships; unorganized precincts 2, 23
Term expires: Jan. 5, 2026
Contact: 218-393-6952, amber.sadowski@isd709.org
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