Stevens Point Area school board elects officers, appoints superintendent as temporary chair

The Stevens Point Area Public School District board completed its annual organizational business at the meeting, choosing a voting method for officer elections, appointing Superintendent Hirschpriner as temporary chair and electing board officers.

Board members voted to use written ballots with initials for officer elections after a motion to that effect was made and seconded. The clerk conducted a roll call on that motion; the motion passed with all present voting in favor, recorded as 10 yes, 0 no.

Superintendent Hirschpriner was then appointed temporary chair so the board could proceed with nominations and elections. After being appointed, Hirschpriner thanked the board for "the honor and responsibility of serving the board in this role tonight" and outlined the nomination and election procedures the board would follow.

Nominations for president were opened and the board moved to elect the nominee by unanimous ballot. The board elected the nominee identified in the transcript as Meg by unanimous consent; the new president then assumed the chair.

For vice president, Jen Bushman and Marnie Mercer were nominated. Each spoke about their experience before ballots were cast; the board announced Marnie Mercer as vice president. For treasurer, Jen Bushman and Liz Potter Nelson were nominated and Jen Bushman was elected. Ted Kowalski was nominated and elected clerk by unanimous consent. The board also approved the appointment of Nicole Baumann as school board secretary by voice vote.

Members then filled standing committee and ad hoc roles: Jen Bushman was approved to chair the business services and human resources committee, Chris Scott was named chair of educational services, and members were assigned to Boston School Forest, CESA 5 representative, WASB delegate, tech steering and negotiations committees. The board approved the proposed committee meeting times (committee meetings at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; board meetings at 6:00 p.m.) to support community attendance.

The board approved continued use of facsimile signatures for officers on required forms and noted which officers should stay after the meeting to sign the required documents. The board was reminded of upcoming graduations and other events. The meeting adjourned after a motion to adjourn carried.

Votes at a glance: roll call to adopt written ballots with initials — motion carried (roll-call tally recorded as 10 yes, 0 no); appointment of Superintendent Hirschpriner as temporary chair — approved by voice vote; president elected by unanimous ballot — approved by acclamation; vice president, treasurer, clerk, and secretary appointments — approved (results announced in meeting); meeting schedule and committee assignments — approved; facsimile signature approval — approved.

The board set its next regular meeting for June 8.