SYRACUSE — Longtime Wawasee school board member George Gilbert said he will be resigning effective with the next regular monthly meeting of the board July 12. The intended resignation was announced at the regular monthly meeting of the school board Tuesday evening, June 14, in Syracuse.

Gilbert had bypass surgery in May and said his doctor advised him it would be wise to resign from the school board. He had served on the school board since 2004 when he was appointed to fill the seat previously held by Jeff Wells.

Gilbert holds the District 2 at-large seat covering Turkey Creek, Van Buren and the east side of Jefferson townships. He was elected for a four-year term in 2012, so his term would have expired this year.

James Flecker, Wawasee Community School Corp. attorney, noted the vacancy must be filled within 30 days or a circuit court judge will appoint someone, according to state statute.

Applications will be accepted to fill Gilbert’s seat until June 30. A resume and letter of interest must be submitted and the person must live in Turkey Creek, Van Buren or the east side of Jefferson township. Information from prospective candidates should be submitted to Dr. Tom Edington, WCSC superintendent. Edington’s email address is [email protected] or call (574) 457-3188.

Flecker said the intent is for the school board to review applications in an executive session prior to the July 12 meeting and hopefully to make a recommendation during the regular board meeting. Whoever is chosen will fill the remainder of Gilbert’s term.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the school board approved hiring Lee Snider as the new principal of North Webster Elementary School. Snider had served the last five years as principal of Harrison Elementary in Warsaw and was a teacher at Leesburg Elementary five years prior to that. His wife, Becca, is a mental health therapist for Wawasee schools and the family lives within the North Webster school district. Snider replaces Kris Woodard, who has retired.

The board also approved the hiring of Rachel Moore as an administrative assistant in the central office, effective June 20. Brian Larson will switch from a sixth-grade math teacher at Milford School to a fourth-grade teacher at the same school. Sarah Stoelting will remain at Wawasee Middle School as special education teacher. Elizabeth O’Neal will be a math teacher at Wawasee High School effective with the 2016-17 school year and John Szynal will be a technology integration coach at the high school, also effective with the 2016-17 school year.

Retiring Staff Members

Retiring teachers and staff members were recognized during Tuesday’s meeting (not everyone was able to attend the meeting). Those attending included Woodard, who had 20 years in Wawasee schools and was most currently principal of North Webster Elementary.

Others attending were Kim Conrad, 36 years, elementary librarian and literacy coach; Stephanie Szynal, 22 years, Wawasee High School math; Casimir Szynal, 38 years, WMS math and science; and Bob Lahrman, 16 years, director of support services. Not attending were Mark Friskney, 32 years, North Webster Elementary grades three to five; Josette Abrams, 40 years, North Webster Elementary art; Judy Wolfe, 31 years, WHS special education; Kristi Harris, 31 years, WHS math and instructional coach; Trish Miller, 20 years, WHS business; Jill Perrin, 40 years, Syracuse Elementary first grade; Eldonna Warren, 23 years, WMS secretary; and Randy Johnson, 16 years, Wawasee energy management specialist.