By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE – The Southgate Commuity School District Board of Education is expected next week to name a panelist for either a two-month or two-year appointment to complete the term of Amanda Kremer, who resigned earlier this month.
Supt. Leslie Hainrihar said the board had been notified on Sept. 16 of Kremer’s resignation, and by state law had 30 days to fill the seat.
“It’s up to the board how they want to fill it,” Hainrihar said. “They can do interviews, or make an appointment.”
Hainrihar said the board had accepted letters of intent through Friday in order to make a decision by its next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The appointment could be for the remainder of Kremer’s term – which expires in 2016 – or a partial term and place the seat on the general election ballot.
The November ballot will feature the expiring seats of Vice President Rebecca Reed-Hall and Treasurer Kirk Hayhurst, both of whom have filed nominating petitions. Hainrihar said last week it remained to be seen how the board would address the upcoming ballot.
The appointment will mark the second replacement this year for the board, which in January named Jason Craig to complete the term of retiring panelist Patricia Graziani. That term expires in 2016.
Kremer – a fundraiser and community organizer – campaigned in 2012 for her debut into local politics, and served as board liaison to Fordline and Grogan elementary schools.
Hainrihar said the board and district have been through difficult times in recent years, and made difficult decisions such as closing facilities to balance a budget against declining revenues. The challenge for current and future board members will be to work with administrators to “live within our means,” Hainrihar said,
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)