Olentangy Local Schools Board of Education member Dimon McFerson announced during the August 25 meeting his intention to resign from the board effective September 30, 2010.
“I have immensely enjoyed my time on the board,” said McFerson. “Seeing the progress this high-achieving school district has made and addressing the significant challenges has been very rewarding. However after long deliberation, I feel that now is the appropriate time for me to step aside so I may spend more time with my family.”
McFerson was first appointed to the board to fill an unexpired term in April 2004. He was later elected to the board in 2005 and served as president for nearly two years. In August 2006 he resigned from the board due to health reasons. In 2008 McFerson was again elected to the board and served as vice president that same year. His unexpired term ends December 31, 2011.
“Olentangy Local Schools is fortunate to have had the pleasure of Mr. McFerson’s service as a board member for six years,” said Olentangy Board of Education President Julie Wagner Feasel. “His leadership and financial background will be missed but I know he will continue to be involved in supporting our community and our schools.”
During the August 25 meeting, the board discussed the process to fill McFerson’s seat. In 2006 a similar situation occurred with two separate resignations occurring within two months. At that time, the board simply selected two applicants from the first search to interview for the second vacancy. The current board has decided to use that same process to fill this vacancy and will interview Martin Johnson and Kevin O’Brien in early October.
The board recently appointed Stacy Dunbar to fill the unexpired term of former member Jennifer Smith, who resigned on July 6, 2010. That vacancy process included 76 applications. “We received a strong pool of candidates from the first search,” said Feasel. “The board has decided to follow past practice so we may fill this vacancy in a timely manner and move on with the important business before the board.”
Under Ohio Revised Code, the remaining members of the board may fill a vacancy within a window period of 10 to 30 days following the date on which the vacancy occurs. The board is expected to appoint the new member during their October 13 meeting.