Seamon Returned To School Board To Fill Unexpired Term

Former school board member Richard Seamon was appointed April 23 to fill the unexpired term of Richard Arline.

It took nearly two hours in closed session April 23, but the Board of Education eventually turned to one of its former members to fill an unexpired term.

The board picked former board member Richard Seamon of Rue Chagall to fill the unexpired term of Richard Arline, who resigned because he is moving out of state.

Seamon served on the board from 2000 to 2003 and 2010 to 2013, when he did not win re-election.

This was the second time the board deliberated on Arline’s replacement. The first, on April 13, resulted in no one candidate of five getting the necessary five votes. Seamon and Laurie Merris of Wilson Road were the two top vote-getters then.

It took two board members – Patricia Stanley and Margaret Steele – to change their votes for Seamon to get the necessary amount to win the appointment.

Board President Edward Potosnak, citing what he said was the board attorney’s opinion, suggested that the board interview Merris and Seamon, and then deliberate, in executive session. Potosnak said the session was allowed under the state’s Open Public Meetings Act because of the potential for “private information” to be discussed during the interviews.

After the interviews and deliberation, Potosnak, board vice president Nancy LaCorte and board member Christine Danielsen re-cast their votes for Seamon. They were joined by board member Latee Walton-McCleod, who abstained at the April 13 meeting and members Patricia Stanley and Margaret Steele, who voted for Merris April 13.

Board member Betty Whalen cast the lone vote for Merris. Board member Julia Presley was not present at the meeting.

Stanley said that she “listened very carefully to (Seamon’s) clarifications on key issues,” which resulted in her gaining a “different perspective” of him.

“I respect his prior contributions to the board,” she said.

Steele said she changed her mind “after the discussions we had with him. I listened to his answers, and took his prior experience into account.”

Walton-McCleod said she viewed the board as “a team,” and felt that Seamon would work best as a member of the team.

Whalen said she stuck with Merris because she found her “refreshing.”

“I liked hearing your suggestions, and I liked hearing about your daughter and how well she’s doing in school,” Whalen said.

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