School board will have vacancy

McCook Public Schools' board of education will have a vacancy when board member Dawn Andersen leaves McCook to move with her husband and children to central Iowa.

Andersen's resignation becomes effective June 12. Andersen told fellow board members during a regular board meeting Monday evening that her husband has accepted a position as instructional technology consultant with Heartland Area Education Agency 11.

In a letter of resignation, Andersen said it is difficult to leave McCook, "the place our family has come to call home." Andersen admitted that when she and her husband looked at McCook seven years ago, they "almost didn't come," become of the aging condition of the school facilities.

"But we heard about good things happening in the classrooms," she said.

Andersen said she has watched the construction of the new elementary school with a sense of pride. Moving now will be bittersweet, she said, knowing that her children would have gone to the new school.

"Can you commute?" fellow board member Diane Lyons asked Andersen.

Board president Greg Larson invited Andersen to return for dedication ceremonies for the new school.

Larson said a replacement for Andersen will serve the remaining 16 months of her term.

Registered voters of the McCook school district interested in filling the position are encouraged to send letters of interest and resumes to Superintendent Dr. Don Marchant's office, at 700 W. Seventh, to the attention of board secretary Diane Lyons.

The deadline to submit letters of interest and resumes is Tuesday, May 31.

At a special meeting, board members will interview candidates for the position. Larson said the board may appoint a replacement at that meeting or wait until its regular meeting June 13.