ASHLAND — The Ashland City Schools Board of Education unanimously elected John Teevan as its president and Pam Mowry as its vice president at the board’s annual organizational meeting Monday.
In a display former president Zack Truax likened to “musical chairs,” newly-elected Teevan and Mowry swapped seats with Truax and Gina Deppert, who served as president and vice president until Monday’s meeting.
“All yours, buddy,” Truax told Teevan during the swap.
Both Teevan and Mowry were elected to the board in November 2021. During his campaign, Teevan told voters he wants to ensure the district strives for excellence “with a future-focused vision while staying grounded in the here and now.”
Meanwhile, Mowry told voters that her focus is on serving children and parents.
“I will advocate for them to each be regarded with respect and educated to the full extent that we can provide for their unique God-given abilities,” she said.
After the leadership shakeup, the board approved a number of routine motions they pass annually at the organizational meeting, including raising the district’s minimum wage, approving legal counsel, and giving authority to the superintendent and treasurer.
Monday’s meeting was also former business manager Steve Paramore’s first as interim superintendent. He said the district “showed its excellence” during his first week when it responded to a hoax shooting last Thursday while schools were being dismissed.
Staff had to determine which students lived on or near Ohio Street, which was blocked off by the police, and transport them to Edison Elementary to be picked up by their families.
“We just wanted to make sure that we show that we don’t just frivolously let kids off and go walk into harm’s way,” Paramore said.
