PORT ANGELES — Two new Port Angeles School Board members have been sworn in and applications are being taken for another seat on the five-member board.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Dec. 30. Board members expect to appoint a new member Jan. 7.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Erik Rohrer on Thursday evening gave the oath of office to two newly elected school board members: Dr. Joshua Jones, medical director of Peninsula Behavioral Health, and Susan Shotthafer, who had served as substitute teacher in the district for 11 years.
Soon after they were seated, the board voted 4-0 to select Cindy Kelly as board president and unanimously approved a process to fill an empty seat on the board.
Incumbent Lonnie Linn, 60, was defeated in the Nov. 3 election by Rick Marti, 70, a substitute teacher, but Marti resigned on Nov. 16, saying he made his decision after getting more information about the job requirements.
According to Tina Smith-O’Hara, the district’s communications coordinator, school boards do not offer available seats to people who have received the next-highest number of votes in the prior elections. Those people are free to apply for the position if it becomes open.
Linn has said he might apply for the board seat.
Applications for the position are available at the Central Services Building, 216 E. Fourth St., during business hours, said Superintendent Marc Jackson.
Applicants must be registered voters and live in the Port Angeles School District. Each applicant must submit to a background check and provide two letters of reference.
School board members plan to review applications and select finalists to take part in interviews at a 5 p.m. Jan. 7 special board meeting at the Central Services Building.
Immediately after the interviews, the board expects to recess to an executive session to discuss the candidates’ qualifications, then return to vote to select a new board member.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
