By Derrick Forsythe,
Record Staff Writer
Two new Warren County R-III School Board members were introduced during the monthly meeting last Thursday as they begin their three-year terms after being voted in at the April 5 election.Allan Dreyer and Ginger Schenck took the oath of office and transitioned into their roles after a reorganization of the board. Both are former educators in the district.Outgoing members Bill Hawley and Jan Sutherland were recognized but not present during the meeting. Hawley had served two terms on the board, first elected in 2009 and re-elected in 2012. He recently served as board treasurer. He had opted not to run for re-election.Sutherland had been on the board for three consecutive terms, after first being elected in 2007. She had served as board secretary, before losing her seat in the election.With the reorganization, board members elected new officers. Teresa Scott was re-elected president, while Vice President John Clinger also retained his position.Laurie Wenzel was selected to replace Sutherland as secretary.Replacing Hawley as treasurer will be John Todd.Dreyer was chosen to represent R-III as the district’s delegate for the Missouri School Boards Association. John Bradshaw was selected to serve as an alternate to Dreyer in that position.All of the nominations passed by a unanimous 6-0 vote.Discussion was also held concerning the absence of Bradshaw during the last three monthly meetings. “According to policy, it says if there are three absences that a position could be vacated unless those absences are excused by the board,” said Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler, who went on to explain that Bradshaw had recently started a new job that had conflicted with his ability to be present at the meetings in January, February and March.“We spoke with our attorney, and she said that life items can get in the way, but that this policy is more focused toward individuals who are missing purposely.”The recommendation was made to excuse the absences and the board passed the motion 4-0, allowing Bradshaw to maintain his position on the board.“I’m glad we are addressing this, because once we take this position, life does happen and can interfere,” said Wenzel. “It’s good that we’re taking time to talk about this.”Newly elected Warren County R-III School Board members Ginger Schenck, center, and Allan Dreyer, are given the oath of office by Lucy Swailes during at the April 14 meeting. Derrick Forsythe photo.
