Germundson aims to bring stability, positivity to Williston School District

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - Jason Germundson is the latest administrator to be named the head of the Williston Basin School District, a challenge that he feels he’s ready for.

“There’s been some rough times in District 7. Now if you remember the phrase ‘Pax Romana,’ Roman peace, we can have ‘Pax Williston,’” said Germundson.

He’s the third leader since the reorganization of the two school districts in 2021. Germundson said it’s a turning point for the district after his predecessors had hard times with staff and the board.

“We had Dr. Thake who was very innovative and he went way to one side. We had Dr. Faidley who was diametrically opposite of Dr. Thake. I want to keep us in the middle of the road,” said Germundson.

One advantage Germundson has over the former superintendents is his roots. He’s a Williston native who previously worked his way up the district from assistant principal at Williston High School.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’ve been watching for the last 23 years in the district how to do things and not how to do things. I’ve been in the trenches and I’m going to bring that experience to the superintendent’s office,” said Germundson.

Still, he will have his work cut out for him as the district navigates teacher recruitment, new school construction, old school maintenance and growing enrollment.

“When boilers aren’t working and when roofs are leaking that’s not a conducive environment. We’re just trying with our limited budget to find the right mix of doing this project first or that project first,” said Germundson.

His biggest goal, however, is to bring stability and positivity to a district in desperate need of it. While that is something former Superintendents have promised, Germundson said his humble and democratic style of leadership will help prove the saying “Third time’s the charm.”

Germundson is on a two-year contract, earning at least 205 thousand dollars his first year.