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Northport Board appoints Ben Hale to fill vacancy, swears him in
Summary
At its Aug. 11 meeting the Northport Board of Education unanimously approved a motion to appoint Ben Hale to replace Jake Zimmer; Hale had led in a written ballot and was sworn in immediately after the board vote.
Ben Hale was appointed to the Northport Board of Education and sworn in after the board’s regular meeting on Aug. 11, 2025.
The board moved to appoint Hale to fill the vacancy left by Jake Zimmer. The board conducted written ballots that showed three members favoring Hale and two favoring the other candidate, Eric Potes. After those ballots, a motion by Tom Wetherbee, supported by Danielle Percy, to appoint Ben Hale was adopted by a formal voice vote recorded as 5–0. The Board Recording Secretary, Elizabeth Schwind, administered the oath and Hale took his seat at the table.
Why it matters: The appointee will serve until November 2026 and may choose to run for the remainder of the term. Superintendent Neil Wetherbee told the board the appointment must be made by Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, or the intermediate school district would make the appointment.
Candidates and board response: Ben Hale told the board he has two children in the district and emphasized expanding resources, sports and arts opportunities and retaining families. Eric Potes, who submitted a letter of interest and a resume and has three children in the district, urged broader communication about openings and expressed willingness to serve. The written ballots recorded were: Ryan Blessing — Ben Hale; Tom Wetherbee — Ben Hale; Danielle Percy — Ben Hale; Daniel Duffiney — Eric Potes; Jamie Scripps — Eric Potes. The board then approved the formal appointment motion unanimously.
Board members welcomed Hale after the swearing-in. At the meeting’s close, Hale thanked the board for the opportunity to serve. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025.
