Board offered its own chair a teaching contract, and he resigned a month later

What happened

On June 19, 2026, with board chair Courtney Yellow Fat absent, the other four members voted 3-0 (one not voting) to offer him a contract in the Lakota immersion program, pending a North Dakota teaching license. On July 20 the board accepted his resignation as chair and seated Reva Gates for the rest of his four-year term.

Why it matters to families

A board voting to employ its own chair raises conflict-of-interest questions. The posted minutes do not say whether the contract was accepted or how a successor was chosen.

The evidence

June 19, 2026 minutes, Motion #5: contracts offered to '... Courtney Yellow Fat, Lakota Immersion Program (Pending ND Teaching Liscense)'. July 20, 2026 minutes, Motions #3-#4: resignation accepted and Reva Gates certified 'for the duration of his 4-year term'.

The source