Committee formed to fill school board vacancy

After approving the resignation of board member Janet Rosenbaum during Monday evening's regular meeting, the Sidney school board discussed a method to fill the vacancy for the remainder of her term.

Rosenbaum served as a board member since March 2013, the same month a former board member submitted his letter of resignation leading to a vacancy.

On Feb. 8, Rosenbaum sent a letter to the board and district administrators stating "with much emotion" that she had to resign from her position as a board member, and that the February regular meeting would be her last.

"It was a sad day when the new owners made the decision to close the factory here in Sidney," Rosenbaum said in the letter. "I feel very fortunate and blessed to have found a position with a company in Hastings, Neb., so I will be moving there and will be beginning my new adventure in March."

After approving her resignation, board president Tom Von Seggern thanked Rosenbaum for her service on the board and to the Sidney students.

Jay Ehler, superintendent of Sidney Public Schools, said he spoke with the district's attorney, Karen Haase, regarding the vacancy and the method to fill the position was up to the board. Ehler said the guidelines are that the board announces the vacancy, along with the date it was approved, in the newspaper and the agenda minutes. The board must also contact the county clerk by letter with the date of the vacancy, the office that was vacated and the length of the unexpired term.

"So I will take care of those things," Ehler said. "Tomorrow or the next day, I will get those done."

Ehler said the remainder of Rosenbaum's term is about two years and eight months.

Board member Doug Means asked if there was a time limit in filling the vacancy. Ehler said Haase had not mentioned anything, but believed the terms called for a "reasonable" amount of time.

"I guess I would make the suggestion that you maybe form a temporary committee, possibly with three of you, so that we don't have a quorum and call for a special board meeting," he said.

Ehler said the district could then take applications to a specified date, after which the committee could meet and make a decision.

"I don't think they can make the selection," board member Steve Mattoon said. "I think they can make a recommendation to bring to the full board."

"Correct," Ehler said.

Ehler said even with the recommendation, the board did not have to take it in their selection.

"It's your choice," he said. "You don't have to go to the person that got 'X' amount of votes or anything like that. It is your duty to decide who would be a good board member and put them in this position."

Ehler suggested a "fairly short" deadline on taking applications so the committee would have time to make a recommendation before the next regular meeting in April.

Von Seggern offered a deadline of April 1 at noon, which would give them roughly 10 days before the meeting to decide. He said two people have already applied for the position.

The board then approved the method, with board members Von Seggern, Means and Randy Flamig forming the committee. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 11.