School board gains newest chairman.Byline: ANNE WILLIAMS The Register-Guard SPRINGFIELD Springfield. 1 City (1990 pop. 105,227), state capital and seat of Sangamon co., central Ill., on the Sangamon River; settled 1818, inc. as a city 1840. - The Springfield School Board has its third chairman in less than two months. The board on Monday unanimously elected Garry Weber Weber, river, United States Weber (wē`bər), river, c.125 mi (200 km) long, rising in the Uinta Mts., N central Utah, and flowing north and northwest to join the Ogden River at Ogden. The combined stream flows to the Great Salt Lake. , a board member since July 1999, to fill the post left vacant after the sudden resignation last week of Tom Atkinson. Atkinson had been chairman only since mid-July, when veteran board member and chairwoman Jennifer Heiss also abruptly a·brupt adj. 1. Unexpectedly sudden: an abrupt change in the weather. 2. Surprisingly curt; brusque: an abrupt answer made in anger. 3. resigned, citing personal reasons. Heiss's departure was the first surprise in what's been a tumultuous summer for the district. Her resignation actually left two vacancies, as Marty Lenk had quit to move to Ashland the previous month. The board on July 15 appointed Laurie Adams, who had served on the board previously, and Al King, a state legislator LEGISLATOR. One who makes laws. 2. In order to make good laws, it is necessary to understand those which are in force; the legislator ought therefore, to be thoroughly imbued with a knowledge of the laws of his country, their advantages and defects; to , to fill those positions. Just eight days later, the board held the first in a series of nonpublic sessions that led to the forced resignation in early August of Superintendent Jamon Kent. At the same time, Len Arney, Kent's assistant superintendent Assistant Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was a rank used by police forces in the British Empire. It was usually the lowest rank that could be held by a European officer, most of whom joined the police at this rank. for instruction, opted to retire a year earlier than planned, citing a loss of confidence in the board. Atkinson, a board member since 1997, also criticized the board in his letter of resignation. As the board's only staunch advocate for Kent, Atkinson said he felt ineffective, ignored and out of step with the board's current direction for the district. He also said his service took too great a toll on other personal and professional priorities. The recent board resignations leave only two members - Weber and vice-chairman Jonathan Light - who were elected by voters. The board will appoint yet another new member next month to fill Atkinson's position. Adams, King and the yet-to-be-appointed board member all will have to stand for election next May, as will Weber, whose term will expire expire /ex·pire/ (ek-spi´er) 1. to exhale. 2. to die. ex·pire v. 1. To breathe one's last breath; die. 2. To exhale. . Weber said he'd asked Light to step into the chairmanship, but Light declined, saying he has too many other commitments. Weber, who is now the board's most veteran member, is an operating partner of Roaring ROARING. A disease among horses occasioned by the circumstance of the neck of the windpipe being too narrow for accelerated respiration; the disorder is frequently produced by sore throat or other topical inflammation. 2. Rapids Pizza Co. in Glenwood. He and his wife, Rita, a teacher in the district, have three children in Springfield schools. Meanwhile, in a nonpublic session at 6 p.m. this Wednesday, the board will begin screening applicants for the job of interim superintendent. Steve Barrett, assistant superintendent for operations, was named acting superintendent after Kent's resignation, and has applied for the interim post. SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY VACANCY. A place which is empty. The term is principally applied to cases where an office is not filled. 2. By the constitution of the United States, the president has the power to fill up vacancies that may happen during the recess of the senate. To apply: Applications will be available beginning Wednesday at the Administration Center, 525 Mill St., and online at www.sps.lane.edu. Deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 27. |
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