Business Manager Heser Out in Williston Basin School District #7
Williston, ND (KEYZ) Embattled business manager for Williston Basin School District #7 Sherri Heser is out.
News Radio confirmed rumors of her resignation with district officials Friday.
"Mrs. Heser submitted her resignation earlier this week," said Superintendent Dr. Richard Faidley. "Her resignation will be included on the July 25th 2022 board agenda for the Board to consider."
Dr. Faidley said he will assume the responsibilities of the Business Manager in the interim until the position can be posted and a replacement for Heser can be hired, assuring the community that the financial health of the district is in good hands.
"I just want the community to know with all the confidence that things will proceed forward, and we will take care of our financial business and be good stewards of the tax payers' dollars."
Heser beat out former Business Manager for Williston Public School District 1 Jodi Germundson and former District 1 Finance Controller Mandy Garaas for the coveted spot as Business Manager for the reorganized District 7 in January 2021, but has hoed a difficult row since the fall of 2021 when questions arose about possibly $2.5 million being unaccounted for following the merger of Districts 1 and 8 to form District 7, and the resignation of then Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Thake came soon thereafter.
The dark cloud over Heser has only mushroomed in the months leading to her resignation to include an ongoing audit of the books by State Auditor Josh Gallion's Office and, seemingly, her inability to provide a concise picture of the financial health of District 7.
Heser was hired as Business Manager for District 7 at a salary of $125,000 a year.
The Williston Basin School District 7 School Board meets again on Monday, July 25, 2022 at 5:30 to formally address Heser's resignation as part of the agenda for its regularly scheduled monthly board meeting.