ORANGE TOWNSHIP — Mapleton school board vice president Tim McKean resigned Friday after nearly eight years of service on the board.
Tim McKean cited personal reasons for his premature departure. He still had through December to finish his second four-year term. His resignation is effective June 30.
He served three years as the board’s vice president and two years as its president. He said he and his colleagues made “some good moves” early on in his tenure on the board.
“The principals and the teachers in this district are wonderful,” he said. “There’s no animosity. You don’t get a lot of beating up on each other like other school districts.”
The Wellington native moved himself and two daughters to the Mapleton school district eight years ago and began coaching sports.
McKean told his colleagues two years ago he wouldn’t run for re-election in the fall.
“It’s time for new blood,” he said.
When asked why he chose not to complete his term, he said “it’s time.”
“There are some personal reasons and some, you know, things with my kids. We’re doing some things this summer and, you know, they’re only young once,” he said.
McKean works as an accountant for Weber Land Holdings in Wellington.
He said he will continue to announce games for various sports throughout the district.
“I’ll be in the school as much as I ever was,” McKean said. “Now I’m just not going to sit in that chair anymore. So — it’s good. It’s not a problem.”
What happens now?
The school board will accept resumes for prospective replacements through June 30. On July 6, the board will have a special meeting at 7 p.m. to hold an executive session in order to interview candidates.
A new board member will be appointed by its next regularly scheduled meeting, slated for July 17 at 4:30 p.m.
Superintendent Scott Smith said there will be three vacant seats by the end of the year, meaning three candidates will need to run for election in November.
Board president Shawn Grundy and board member Tom Donley are not running for re-election. McKean’s term ends Dec. 31.
Shannon Johnson, deputy director of the Ashland County Board of Elections said no one has pulled petitions for the open seats.
The deadline to file for election with the office is Aug. 9.
