School board picks Albietz as newest Cloverdale member

It only took one week for the Cloverdale Community School Corp. to appoint its new member.

After interviewing eight candidates on May 17 for a recently vacated board position, the board voted unanimously on Wednesday, selecting Don Albietz as its newest member.

"I think he was a strong candidate," CCSC Board President Linda Mann said. "I think he's going to be a fine addition."

Albietz will replace Barb Petro, who had submitted her resignation from the school board at its April meeting. Petro is recovering from a recent stroke and had served on the board since July 7, 1987.

"We're going to miss her," Mann said. "But she's getting better."

Five of the eight board candidates attended Wednesday's meeting. Albietz was not at the short, five-minute meeting.

On Thursday, Albietz said Mann called him about his nomination, and added he was shocked that he was elected.

"I was surprised because of the quality of the applicants," Albietz told the BannerGraphic. "But I'm really happy to be a nominee. I hope I can do a good job."

Mann began Wednesday's meeting by thanking all of the candidates.

"It pleases me that so many people are interested in the school," she told those in attendance at Wednesday's meeting.

Following her opening statement, she asked the board for a motion. Board Vice President Pamelia Hepfer motioned to accept Albietz as the new board member, with Jim Sharp giving the second.

Other candidates expressing interest in the position included Max Cassida, Anthony Hacker, William Henson, Rebecca Mannan, Charles Mowery, William Terrell and Cathy Tipton.

"It was a difficult (decision)," Mann said of Wednesday's final vote. "We liked all the candidates."

Mann said Albietz will be officially sworn in at the board's June meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m., June 13.

"It will be nice to have the board filled again," she said.

The position, however, is only temporary. It will be up for election in November.

Albietz said he had planned to run for the position in the November election.

"I definitely will now," he said.

Albietz was the first candidate interviewed for the position May 17.

He has lived in Cloverdale since 1976 and during his interview, he told the board he previously ran the Lieber State Park Recreation Area. He also had seven kids in the school system.

During his interview, Albietz told the six board members he was concerned about a recent rash of teachers retiring from the system and a recent "revolving door of administrators."

"We really have to find a way to get the best quality people in," Albietz told the board in his interview.

While being interviewed, Albietz told the board listening to the concerns of parents is a top priority and he would make sure his vote would count.

"You have to make decisions on what you think is right," he said.

In other business Wednesday, the board:

-- Unanimously approved a motion to allow CCSC Supt. Carrie Milner to fill summer school positions prior to the June meeting. Milner said summer school for students in grades kindergarten-fourth will run from June 1-June 21 while high school students will have a session that is one week longer, ending on June 27.

The board meets regularly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.