Please note, this article has been updated.
In recent days, our team has fielded questions regarding how our Board of Education appointment process and election of officers took place, and we are happy to re-share those details, given it was an open and transparent process.
- On February 21, 2023, the D38 Board of Education accepted the resignation of then-President Chris Taylor.
- Subsequently, the Board of Education passed a resolution outlining the process by which it would fill the vacant seat and reorganize the board. This led to an open application process, through which two applicants emerged.
- On April 4, 2023, Director of District 1 applicants were interviewed publicly.
- On April 7, 2023, the Board of Education held a special meeting to appoint Mr. Kris Norris to the Board of Education.
- On April 17, pursuant to the February 21 resolution, and pursuant to CRS § 22-31-129, the Board of Education swore in Mr. Norris and immediately reorganized.
As dictated by CRS § 22-31-129, whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of the board president, the remaining members of the Board shall elect a successor to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. This took place following the appointment of Mr. Norris, ensuring the Board of Education was at its full capacity during the reorganization.
During the reorganization process, the Board of Education followed Policy BDA, which dictates that “following the swearing in of the newly-elected Board member or members, the following officers, in order, shall be elected or appointed: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.”
Through this process, the Board voted for the election of a new Board President, and Mrs. Tiffiney Upchurch was duly elected President at that time. Pursuant to legal recommendation and procedures for board reorganization which the Board followed in this meeting, the Board voted on a new Vice President, which was not a vacant position. Due to the fact that the position was already filled by Mrs. Phillips, the vote for a new Board Vice President on April 17 will be considered a null and void vote.
The Board recognizes the value of following past Board precedent, and the Board on May 22 moved to reinstate Mrs. Theresa Phillips as Board Vice President and appointed Mr. Kris Norris as Secretary effective May 22.
While the Board's full reorganization vote was not necessary during the April 17 meeting, it's important to note that all Board members have been duly elected or appointed in their directorship, and their actions on April 17 and in subsequent meetings are still valid.
Following the reorganization, which followed district policy and Colorado Revised Statute, our Board of Education Directors and their offices held are:
- Tiffiney Upchurch, President
- Theresa Phillips, Vice President
- Kris Norris, Secretary
- Ron Schwarz, Treasurer
- Matthew Clawson
Thank you for taking time to learn more about the Board of Education appointment and officer election process. If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to reach out to info@lewispalmer.org.