Potosnak, LaCorte Returned To Lead Board Of Education, Election Winners Sworn In

Newest Board of Education member Laurie Merris reads her oath of office during the Jan. 7 board reorganization meeting.

The Board of Education voted to retain its top leadership, and the three winners in the November election were sworn in to their seats at the Jan. 7 reorganization meeting.

Included in the swearing in was newest board member Laurie Merris, who won the seat vacated by former board member Betty Whalen. Also sworn in were returning board members Margaret Steele and Richard Seamon.

Ed Potosnak was once again elected to serve as board president, while Nancy LaCorte was chosen to again be the board’s vice president.

The votes were not unanimous, however.

Board member Pat Stanley – who last year caused a stir when she called on Potosnak to resign as president after he self-identified as gay during his speech at the Franklin High School graduation ceremony – abstained from the vote on the president. All other board members voted for Potosnak.

Stanley and board member Julia Presley abstained from voting on LaCorte’s election, while all other board members supported her.

After the meeting, Potosnak said 2016 will be “an exciting year.”

The biggest challenge facing the board is the carrying out of the construction plans called for in the $84 million “One Less Move” referendum approved by voters in December 2014, Potosnak said. Included in that program is the construction of a new elementary school on Claremont Road.

“We’re excited about that,” Potosnak said. “But that doesn’t mean that we don’t do the regular business of the board, that is supporting our students and our fantastic faculty.”

Potosnak said the board must make sure “we continue to promote all the really good things that are happening.”

“We have one of the strongest boards ever,” he said.

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