Lake Park board fills seat, faces second vacancy

Itasca resident Janice Gatbunton will join the Lake Park High School District 108 school board this month, filling the vacancy left by the unexpected death of board member Doug Denson. Meanwhile, the board is looking for candidates to replace Judith Briggs, who resigned this week.

Gatbunton, a practicing attorney, was appointed by the board this week and will take office during the board meeting Monday, Jan. 25. She will serve until the election in April 2017.

Gatbunton previously served on Itasca Elementary District 10's school board and has been a member of the School Law Committee of the local bar association. Gatbunton has two children and intends to demonstrate a student-centered approach on the board.

"I expect and desire that my passion for quality public education will prove to serve as an asset to an already effective, accomplished and successful Lake Park District 108 Board of Education," Gatbunton wrote in her application letter.

Board President Barb Layer said, "I believe Janice is an excellent choice and will provide meaningful contributions as the board continues to focus on district priorities, including teaching and learning, student achievement and fiscal management."

Following Gatbunton's appointment, the district is facing a new vacancy on the board.

Briggs submitted a letter of resignation on Tuesday, Jan 12, citing changes in her personal life as the reason for ending her 12.5-year tenure, and commented how impressed she was with the interest, knowledge and commitment shown by the pool of seven candidates who applied to fill Denson's seat.

"Consequently, I have decided to resign at this time so that the board can move smoothly along with two new members for the remaining 13 months of my term," Briggs wrote.

Lake Park High School District 108 board members will reconsider the initial qualified pool of applicants, as well as accept other interested candidates who submit an application by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. The application is available on the district website, lphs.org.

A special board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, to announce the appointment filling the vacancy created by Briggs' resignation. The newly named board member also will take an oath of office Jan. 25 and serve until the election in April 2017.