Schools

PHOTOS: New Ferndale School Board Members Sworn In

The Board of Education met for its annual organizational meeting on Monday night.

It was a full house at the Ferndale school board meeting on Monday night as family members, friends and elected officials came to show their support as the board begins a new year with four new members.

Raylon Leaks-May, Amy Butters, Jim O'Donnell and Kevin Deegan-Krause each took their Oath of Office during the Board of Education's annual organizational meeting.

Ferndale Schools Superintendent Gary Meier said at the beginning of the meeting that it was a special night and marked "a new era, so to speak" for the school district.

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"I'm so excited to get down to work," Butters said during the meeting.

Senator Vincent Gregory was present and congratulated the board members for taking an active role in the community. He said he would be happy to sit down and speak with the board "on any issue at all."

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"I look forward to working with you," he said.

Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter, who administered the Oath of Office to O'Donnell and Deegan-Krause, also thanked the board members.

"The future of our community is in your hands and I know it's in good hands," he said, and he encouraged the board to call on the City Council for anything it needs.

New officers elected

After the school board members were sworn in and had a chance to mingle with the many friends and family members in attendance, the board's first order of business was electing its officers.

Board members voted to elect Jim O'Donnell as president, Nancy Kerr-Mueller for secretary, Karen Twomey as vice president and Chuck Moeser for treasurer.

The school board also established meeting dates and times for the year, appointed board members to committees and approved a motion to establish a special strategic planning committee of the board.

The next school board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28 at the Harding Administration Center.


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