By JONATHAN SNYDER
Bruce Holland has submitted his resignation from the board of trustees for the Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District.
Superintendent Brad Yates announced Monday that Holland is moving out of the school district’s boundaries, which prompted the resignation. Holland served on the board as its district two member for five and a half years.
Holland’s resignation called for a new appointee for the District 2 seat, which was filled by board Vice President Angie Sheets after unanimous approval from the board, with Sheets abstaining.
Sheets’ move from the At-Large position to District 2 appointee leaves a vacancy for the At-Large position on the board. Yates advised that the Indiana School Board Association requires that a board vacancy be filled within 30 days.
Yates recommended that the district wait until after the filing deadline for school board elections at noon on June 20 to review candidates for the vacancy. Three positions are up for election in November — At-Large, District 1 and District 3.
The appointee will finish the At-Large term through Dec. 31.
“If we hold on any action at that point until after Thursday, then I can communicate with you (the board) who’s filed and what that will look like,” Yates said. “The board can decide at that point what the next actions will be for that vacancy.”
Yates stated that the board is free to create a formal application process online or receive letters of intent to fill the role. Yates further noted that any in-person candidate interviews have to be public meetings.
Since BHMSD’s next scheduled board meeting falls outside the 30-day window, a special meeting was added for July 16.
Holland, who was absent Monday because of a training session, was invited to be recognized in person during the district’s next meeting.
“While we are sad to see him leave our board, we are deeply grateful for the significant contributions Mr. Holland has made during his time with BHMSD,” Yates said.
“We have much appreciation for not only his years of service on the board, but to our district as a resource officer as he continues to do that,” board member Mike Murray said.
jonathan@news-banner.com
