Portage Township School Board elects officers, swears in new trustee

Portage Township School Board members on Jan. 13 conducted their annual reorganization, swearing in newly elected trustee Matt Rabien and choosing their officers for the year. Andy Maleta was elected board president, Wilma Vasquez was elected vice president and Lori Wilkie was elected secretary; each nomination passed unanimously on roll call votes.

Rabien, who took the oath of office at the meeting, told the board he has lived in Portage his whole life and is “very involved in the community” through youth sports and other activities. He said he is “very energetic, ready to get started” and eager to support students and families.

The board also approved appointments of district agents and advisers, including Ken Ellwood of Raine, Ellwood and McClure as the school board attorney, Dr. Ostrowski as the school physician, and Nick Gron as board treasurer and purchasing agent. Board members were also assigned to external boards and internal committees, including assignments for the redevelopment commission, education foundation, park board and finance, policy and buildings committees.

All officer elections and appointments were moved, seconded and approved by roll call votes with no recorded negative votes. The meeting materials provided background information to trustees in advance, and the board noted procedures for public comment and remote livestream viewing.

The board set its next regular meeting for Jan. 27.