Springfield board declares vacancy, elects officers and approves appointments as debate continues over how to fill seat

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Directors on Jan. 13 formally declared a vacancy for Position 5 after receiving Kelly Mason’s resignation and took several administrative actions, including electing a new chair and vice chair, appointing a budget committee member and approving a set of instructional policies. The board also debated three options for filling the vacant seat and asked staff to begin a public appointment process.

The vacancy declaration came early in the meeting after Superintendent Hamilton read the board’s acknowledgment of Mason’s resignation and the board moved to declare the seat vacant. Chair Nicole DeGraaf urged gratitude for Mason’s service. The motion to declare the vacancy passed with no recorded opposition.

Why it matters: The vacancy triggers a choice between leaving the seat open until the May election, appointing an interim member quickly, or running an expedited public application and interview process. Board members expressed differing views about how much weight to give voters when the unexpired term runs only through June. The board directed staff to proceed with an appointment timeline intended to bring an appointee before the board in February for interview and possible seating in March if a majority concurs.

Key actions and context

- Board leadership: The board elected Nicole DeGraaf as chair to serve the remainder of the school year. DeGraaf was nominated from the floor and received board approval. The board also nominated and approved Heather Quasanza as vice chair.

- Budget committee appointment: The board appointed David Walp to a vacancy on the district budget committee to represent the Educational Equity Advisory Committee (EEAC). Taylor, the board liaison to the EEAC, told the board that Walp is a district resident, a Thurston High School graduate and the parent of an elementary school student; the appointment is effective 2025-01-13 through 2025-12-31.

- Policy adoption: The board adopted most policies in Section I (instruction) as presented, with five policies set aside for further review and discussion: IIA (instructional resources and instructional materials), IKF (graduation requirements), IKFB (graduation exercises), IMB (student achievement program) and IFCA (21st Century Schools/Family Involvement/Title I related policy). Superintendent Hamilton said the pulled items require more detailed review.

- Travel approval: The board approved out-of-state travel for Springfield High School yearbook/journalism students to attend the JEA/NSPA National Journalism Convention in Seattle. Yearbook adviser McGuire told the board that booster sales, a recurring grant and a long-standing journalism grant were covering most student costs; she said a grant balance stood at $23,000 and continued to offset student expenses.

- Consent agenda and minutes: The board approved the consent agenda, including corrected minutes that removed incorrect acronyms (minutes had mistakenly listed ODE where OSBA was intended). The motion carried with no opposition noted.

Board discussion on how to fill the vacancy

Board members discussed three approaches presented by staff: (1) leave the seat vacant until the newly elected director is sworn in following the May election; (2) wait until the May election results are clear and appoint the apparent winner in late May/June; or (3) run a public application process, interview candidates and appoint an interim director before the election. Brian Richardson, staff liaison, explained three staff timelines for Option 3: (a) a rapid schedule to accept applications, interview during a work session and seat a member by the Feb. 10 business meeting; (b) a medium schedule with applications through Jan. 30 and interviews at the Feb. 10 business meeting; or (c) a slower schedule taking applications through Feb. 14 and interviewing at the Feb. 24 work session for seating March 10.

Some members expressed concern that appointing an interim shortly before the filing deadline for the May election could give the appointee an incumbency advantage; others said an appointed member would bring the board back to five voting members and help complete budget work. After extended discussion, the board indicated a majority preference to proceed with a public application/interview process targeting interviews and appointment at February meetings so an appointee could be seated in March, and asked staff to begin public notice and logistics. Richardson said staff would broadcast the vacancy and support the process but warned the schedule would divert staff time.

Quotes

"This is out of the kindness of your hearts because of the kids in our community," Superintendent Hamilton said while reading a proclamation recognizing School Board Recognition Month and thanking volunteer members for their service.

Taylor, the board’s liaison to the District Equity Advisory Committee, described the recommended budget committee appointee: "He's a resident of the district. He's a graduate of Thurston High School himself. He's the current parent of an elementary school student."

Next steps and procedural notes

Staff will publicly post the vacancy and related application materials and will return with a proposed interview schedule for the board. The board indicated it would revisit the topic at the Feb. 24 work session and the Feb. 10 business meeting, and members asked staff to provide a clear timeline and to broadly publicize the opening. No final appointment motion was completed during the Jan. 13 meeting; staff will proceed with public notice consistent with the board’s interest in having candidates ready for interview in February.

Ending

The board’s actions on Jan. 13 filled internal leadership roles and advanced committee appointments while launching a public process to fill the Position 5 vacancy. The board will consider candidate interviews and a potential appointment in February and March, ahead of the May election that covers the seat.

Votes at a glance

- Declare vacancy (Kelly Mason resignation received): motion carried, no recorded opposition. - Elect Nicole DeGraaf as board chair (to serve through June): motion carried. - Elect Heather Quasanza as vice chair: motion carried. - Appoint David Walp to budget committee, position 3 (effective 2025-01-13 to 2025-12-31): motion carried. - Adopt Section I policies (instruction) with five policies held for further review: motion carried. - Approve out-of-state travel for Springfield High School yearbook/journalism students to attend JEA/NSPA convention in Seattle: motion carried. - Approve consent agenda (including corrected minutes): motion carried.