With the departure of President Kurt Shanks and Treasurer Janet Thomas, it was assured there would be new officers for the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education.
Karen Foyteck was elected president of the board. She will chair school board meetings, appoint board committee members and serve a variety of ceremonial duties.
Other officers are Ronald Sullivan, vice president; Sheila Hughes, treasurer; and Stephen Hyer, secretary.
All but three of the offices had only one nomination. Trustee Mary Ellen McLean declined a nomination for the secretary post.
At Monday’s organizational meeting, trustees voted to maintain their salary of $30 per board meeting, up to a total of 36 meetings. The board bylaws also include provisions for district payment of trustees? expenses when participating in conferences, workshops and conventions.
There was minor debate concerning the number of potential events for which the district will pay for expenses. Trustees were provided with a list and asked to indicate their interest in attendance.
The list included scheduled training and conventions for groups such as the Michigan School Board Association and the National School Board Association.
McLean said financial considerations make the national conferences ? in locations such as Washington, D.C.; Orlando, Fla. and Anaheim, Calif. ? secondary priority.
‘The national conferences are not fully required attendance,? she said.
‘This list is extraordinary as to the number of conferences that are a long way away,? Foyteck said.
Superintendent Al Roberts defended the benefit of such conferences. Were it not for the state freeze on school aid, he said he would promote more exposure to national educational trends and training.
Roberts further said the Clarkston school board has shown restraint in the choice of conferences.
‘This is not a board that travels a lot,? he said.