Photo by Samantha Davis Matt Coleman, right, Timothy Van Moer, center, and Mary Swanson read their oaths as they were sworn into office on the Marshall Public School District board Monday evening.

MARSHALL — The Marshall School Board officially swore in Matt Coleman, Mary Swanson and Timothy Van Moer Monday evening, after the three were elected in November’s election.

Coleman was re-elected after nearing the end of his term, and has been on the board since 2006. Swanson and Van Moer fill the seats of Bill Swope, who has now retired, and Ann Marie Vorbach, who joined in February to fulfill the remainder of Bill Mulso’s term.

The official votes revealed that Coleman led with 3,861, Swanson had 2,852 and Van Moer tallied 2,590.

Superintendent Jeremy Williams first read a ceremonial framework to administer the oath of office.

“It is an honor that you were elected to guide the education of our community’s children. As you recite the oath of office, you assume a tremendous responsibility as a director of our school district with the duties empowered by the Minnesota Legislature,” Williams said. “As a board we must be accountable to the community, we must ensure a continuous assessment of student achievement and all conditions affecting the education of our children.”

The three of them stood in front of the board and simultaneously read off an oath that promises their duty in servicing Marshall education.

“I swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state, and that I will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of school board member of Independent School District 413 to the best of my judgement and ability,” the three said.

They join board vice chair Sara Runchey, board clerk Jeff Chapman and treasurer Sara Brink alongside the support from Williams, executive assistant Emily Ruppert and director of finance Sarah Kirchner.

The board also gave nominations amongst one another and re-elected those who will serve as chair, vice chair, clerk and treasurer officers.

Coleman will continue his position as board chair, Runchey will stay as vice chair, Chapman will remain as clerk while Brink will also continue as treasurer.

As Coleman, Swanson and Van Moer begin their four-year terms, the trio thanks the public for their trust.

“I want to thank the community of Marshall for the confidence they have in me,” Coleman told the Independent after the election. “I look forward to continuing the great things we’re doing at Marshall Public Schools.”

Swanson has children that currently attend or recently graduated from the high school.

“(I’m looking forward to) exploring opportunities that we can secure for the future and really getting involved in the community,” Swanson said. “(Also), to get feedback from the community members on what they see in the future of the school district, and opportunities for growth.”

Van Moer has spent a majority of his life living in and around Marshall, and currently works with Holy Redeemer.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to take active participation, as we continue to cultivate the growth of the Marshall School District, and strive for the good truth and the beautiful,” Van Moer told the Independent.

The board also had to assign themselves amongst several committees.

Coleman, Runchey and Chapman will serve on the Executive Governance and Negotiations Committee as the veterans of the school board.

Chapman, Coleman and Van Moer will be on the Facilities, Construction and Development Committee, while Runchey, Brink and Swanson will serve on the Performance Oversight, Finance and Continuous Improvement Committee.

The 2025-26 school board meeting schedule was also announced and approved, which all are open to the public as community members are welcomed to attend and speak to the board. A notice was given by Williams that if any meeting is to be canceled due to weather, the meeting will take place two days after the regular scheduled date.

Meetings will always be held in the Professional Development room at the District Office at the middle school. They are typically held the first and third Monday of every month, the first one at 4 p.m. and the second at 5:30 p.m.