Lake County School Board elects Mathias chair, Dr. Stephanie Luke vice chair; approves 2025–26 meeting schedule

The Lake County School Board reorganized at a Nov. 10, 2025 special meeting, electing Bill Mathias chairman and Dr. Stephanie Luke vice chairman and approving the board’s regular meeting schedule for 2025–26.

An unnamed board member opened nominations for chairman and said, "I'd like to nominate Bill Mathias as chairman of the school board." The nomination was seconded, members voted in favor and the superintendent announced the nomination was unanimous. "Thank you, mister chairman," Mathias said after being seated.

The board then opened nominations for vice chairman. A board member nominated Stephanie Luke; after a second and no further nominations the superintendent announced, "Doctor Luke has been nominated and has been voted to be the new vice chairman, so congratulations to doctor Luke."

The board considered the 2025–26 meeting calendar and agreed to keep the current schedule: regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Lake County Administration Building, 315 West Main Street. A motion to keep the schedule was made and seconded and the superintendent stated, "Motion passes 5 1." The motion was recorded as passing (5–1).

Chair Mathias announced committee appointments and liaisons, asking that Board Member Vandenberg chair real estate transactions and serve as a liaison to work on the Wellness Way high school project; alternates will be created as needed. Board Member (speaker 4) nominated Tabitha Hillhouse to the naming committee and said she would share contact information with Natalie.

During board member comments members discussed a Schools of Hope webinar referenced in an email. Board members noted a limitation that only one member may attend the webinar if the subject is foreseeably on the board agenda. After discussion, Chair Mathias said Mark would attend the Zoom webinar and bring back information to the full board.

A reminder about ethics training and completion status was raised; one member confirmed downloading and printing the manual. With no further comments the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance: The meeting recorded three formal actions: the election/appointment of Bill Mathias as chairman (approved, unanimous), the election/appointment of Dr. Stephanie Luke as vice chairman (approved, unanimous), and approval of the 2025–26 meeting schedule (approved, recorded as 5–1).