ASHLAND — The Ashland City Schools board of education unanimously approved Josh Cehulik to serve a seven-year term on the Ashland Public Library Board of Trustees at Monday night’s meeting.
Cehulik, a pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, was forwarded to the Ashland City Schools board by the library’s board, according to Sandra Tunnell, the library board’s president. The library board advertised and interviewed people for the position.
The spot on the seven-person library board opened because Tony Van Duyne’s term concluded.
Ashland City Schools Supt. Steve Paramore said Cehulik was an acquaintance of his, and encouraged the board to approve his appointment.
“I do believe that he will be committed to sincere, positive operations at the Ashland Public Library,” Paramore said.
The unanimous approval comes in stark contrast to the last time the library aimed to reapprove a board member.
In November 2022, the Ashland City Schools board took a divided vote against reinstating former trustee Stefanie Hunn over the library’s handling of a book controversy.
In July 2022, members of the public asked the library to move or remove five books about puberty, periods and sex that they felt were inappropriate for children. The library moved one of the books, and did not remove any of the others.
A week later, the board appointed longtime county employee Barb Queer to Hunn’s former position. She began her service on the library board of trustees on Jan. 1, 2023.
Cehulik’s service on the library’s board expires Dec. 31, 2030, according to the Ashland City Schools’ agenda.
Paramore said Ashland City Schools has a great relationship with the Ashland Public Library on Monday night.
“Having strong leadership within your public library is important in a community,” Paramore said.
Other business
The board also approved resolutions for Music in Our Schools Month and Youth Art Month, both of which take place in March, according to Paramore.
He said both resolutions aim to celebrate Ashland City Schools’ strength in the fine arts.
It approved a third resolution too. That stated that third grade Language Arts and math testing will take place with pencil and paper.
Paramore said the district has seen better results having students take tests with pencil and paper instead of on Chromebooks.
The board entered executive session at 6:08 p.m. for matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or rules or state statutes. Its next regular meeting will be Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
