New Dist. 2 board member takes seat as 20-year veteran retires

The parent of a W.A. Johnson School student who has experience with school construction projects took a seat on the board of education May 3 after running unopposed in the April election.

Bob Laudadio takes the seat held for 20 years by Kathy Lane. Laudadio is Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for another school district and has 25 years experience in the field. He said he believes his experience offers him the opportunity to contribute to decisions overseeing the school building projects at Tioga and Johnson schools.

Lane was elected to the board in 1991 as part of a slate for change in the district after years of fiscally conservative policies had starved the district of resources, she said. Lane worked on the committee that succeeded in passing an education fund referendum in 2002 and led the Facilities Task Force from 2005 to 2007.

“You are an example of what public education can and should be,” Ms. Lane said to sitting board members as she prepared to step down from her seat at the May 3 meeting. “I could not be happier to leave the board in this shape.”

Also re-elected in April to four-year terms of office were: Patty Reyes, who has been board president since 2007 and on the board since 2002; Jorge Sanchez, who is board treasurer and has been a board member since 2008; and Cindee Hazen, who was appointed to the board in January 2010 to fill the seat of Craig Weldon, who passed away in December 2009.

Patty Reyes was elected board president, Kathie Bossier vice president, Jorge Sanchez, treasurer, and Nancy Quinn, secretary. All officers will serve for two years in that role.