With Bob Musantry’s resignation as a director and board president accepted, the Palisades School District Board of School Directors has elected Silvia LeBlanc to serve as board president.
Director Scott Freeman was elected to serve as vice-president, taking the vacancy left by LeBlanc, who is running unopposed this year to remain on the board for another term.
The moves came during the board’s June 21 board meeting.
LeBlanc noted “the honor” to serve in the position, which includes conducting the board meetings, while pledging to proceed democratically with a board that she says “works well together both in agreement and disagreement.” Noting a contrast in that regard to other school districts, she stated “it matters.”
Musantry had resigned in order to become the high school boys basketball coach. He couldn’t do that and continue to serve on the board, which he did for 12 years, including eight as its president. Among parting remarks, he urged the board to continue to “keep the children as the North Star” for guidance, and offered “special thanks” to long-serving Director James Hallowell for his help over the years.
Moving forward as required to replace Musantry on the board within 30 days, Superintendent Dr. Bridget O’Connell sent a letter to the district on June 22 seeking applicants to serve the balance of his term, which ends in December with the annual reorganization meeting. As an additional measure, she personally delivered the application forms to Springfield Township, which is where the candidates must have resided for at least one year.
Applicants have until today to apply. Those who do will be asked to appear at a special meeting on July 13, at 7 p.m., for public interviews and subsequent appointment, by the board, of the chosen candidate. Candidates seeking election in the fall from Springfield have been ruled out for the special appointment, “to keep that election fair.”
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