Ann Arbor school board selects Christine Stead as newest trustee
The Ann Arbor school board selected Christine Stead to fill a recently vacated seat.
Stead, who was sworn in immediately following the selection Wednesday night, takes over for Adam Hollier, who resigned earlier this year.
Stead, who has the two children at Wines Elementary, is a health care consultant and served in a leadership position during the recent countywide enhancement millage.
“It’s an incredible time,” she said after being selected. “We have to be incredibly resourceful.”
This is the second time in recent months Stead had applied to fill a vacancy on the board. She also applied late last year when long-time board member Helen Gates-Bryant resigned.
At that time, Simone Lightfoot was picked.
Seven other candidates applied for the vacancy this time. The only other candidates to receive votes from the board on Wednesday were Victoria Haviland and James Corey.
Voting for Stead were board President Deb Mexicotte, Glenn Nelson, Randy Friedman and Irene Patalan.
Mexicotte said Stead’s involvement in the district, combined with answers on what the district needs to do in terms of achievement, impressed board members. Stead also served on the district’s strategic plan team.
With the appointment, two new board members are now on a board with several tenured members.
Mexicotte said the board will work with Stead and Lightfoot to bring them up to speed as fast as possible as the board grapples with budget deficits and other issues.
Stead will serve until the November election, when she will be up for election. Also up for election will be Lightfoot, Mexicotte and trustee Susan Baskett.
David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.
Comments
uawisok
Thu, Mar 11, 2010 : 2:32 p.m.
glad to hear the vacancy has been filled...just received my City of Ann Arbor tax bill and the $100.00 reduction we have been given, we are sending a check for $100.00 to Ann Arbor public Schools!!
DagnyJ
Thu, Mar 11, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
Oh good, a leader on the county millage effort. So, who is actually going to try to trim expenses on this school board? Or is everyone going to whine and moan about trying to wring more money out of taxpayers?
KeepingItReal
Thu, Mar 11, 2010 : 8 a.m.
I agree with the good Dr.: I cn see bringing them up to speed on policy and administrative matters. Rather than being given the company line, let the new board members gain experience through their involvement in board matters and their interaction with the community.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Thu, Mar 11, 2010 : 7:16 a.m.
Maybe it is best if the board did not bring the new trustees up to speed but allowed them to present a fresh voice based on what they see. Both new members offer the district intelligence and experience, for which I applaud the board. I hope the new board members spend a good deal of time in the schools to see what actually goes on.