GCSC seeks school board applicants

The search begins now for applicants to finish out the last three years of a Greencastle School Board appointment.

With the recent announcement of the resignation of board member Lisa McCoy, effective June 30, the school board has about two months to find a replacement for the next three years until the term is up on June 30, 2022.

McCoy was appointed by the Greencastle City Council last June and took office on July 1.

Although it is the city’s appointment, by state statute it is the school board’s responsibility to fill a vacancy in the middle of a term.

The board has 30 days to fill the position once it is vacated, so school board president Mike White is hoping for applications prior to that date, giving the board until July 30 to act.

As an appointed body, the Greencastle School Board is appointed by three sets of publicly-elected officials. The Greencastle City Council appoints two (currently filled by Brian Cox and McCoy). The Greencastle Township Trustee and Advisory Board appoint two more (currently White and Bill Tobin). The final position is appointed by the Madison Township Trustee and Advisory Board (currently Dale Pierce).

The appointing bodies have previously expressed their desire to make the mid-term appointments as well. While school board members are not necessarily against this, White said corporation attorney Bob Rund has said state law requires the board itself to make such appointments.

“It is statutory,” White said. “If a board’s bylaws say that the appointment goes back to the appointing body, then it’s legal. But our bylaws say that the board does it.”

As such, White said the school board will be inviting city council members to attend the meetings at which candidates will be interviewed, with city council input welcome.

However, if these are not declared as joint meetings, no more than three of seven city council candidates can be in attendance at one time.

Interested applicants should mail their letters of interest and resumés to Greencastle Schools Central Office, C/O President Mike White, 1002 Mill Pond Lane, Greencastle, IN 46135.

The letters should be received by July 1.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old and reside within the city of Greencastle.

While the board is scheduled to meet in regular session on Monday, July 22, it is likely that a special meeting will be required during July to interview interested candidates.

All of these proceedings will be open to the public.

Any interested and qualified city residents are encouraged to apply.

McCoy’s departure will leave the city without a board member appointed by the council itself. Council appointee Denise Sigworth resigned in the spring of 2018, with Cox appointed as her replacement.

Cox’s term expires on June 30, 2020.

Greencastle Township Trustee Steve Butts is currently in the process of filling White’s currenty position for the next four years, as the term expires on June 30. White is free to apply, as there are no term limits on school board members.

Tobin’s Greencastle Township appointment will expire on June 30, 2020, while Pierce’s Madison Township term runs through June 30, 2021.

McCoy’s final meeting as a school board member will be on Monday, June 24.