• Officer elections take place annually within the board.
Dr. Darnell Simpson was elected Chairman of the Lincoln County School District No. 2 School Board in the monthly school board meeting held December 6. Simpson, who has been serving as Vice-Chairman, is replacing Wade Hirschi, who served as chairman for seven years.
With the annual officer election held among the board, four members were voted into new offices and three members accepted appointments to the Policy Committee. Once elected, a board member assumes new duties immediately.
To begin elections on Wednesday, Hirschi called for nominations to chairman, and Member Connie Day nominated Simpson. A second to a motion is not required in the election process among the board. With no other nominations offered, and an unanimous vote from the board, Simpson and Hirschi traded seats immediately, and Simpson lead out on the remainder of the elections and meeting.
Simpson thanked Hirschi for his service and opened the floor to nominations for vice-chairman. Bennett nominated Hirschi for the position of vice-chair, and a vote on the motion carried unanimously, installing Hirschi as vice-chairman.
Member Lynn Call was elected as clerk, and Bennett was elected as treasurer. Members Bennett, Day and Jed Johnson all expressed interest in continuing as policy committee members, and elections concluded with those members accepting appointments to the policy committee.
“I feel honored to be able to fill this position for a time,” said Simpson, in an interview with SVI Media on Monday. “I’m grateful for Wade and the job he’s done in this position for the last seven years. I’m grateful that I’ve got a good board and administrative team to work with. They really do have the best interest of the school kids at heart.”
Simpson looks to continue the course of excellence established by the board and district administrators, stating, “We’re always looking to improve. We’re always looking to make things better. If we find things in the future that need adjustments, you have my word we will do our best to make those changes.”
Hirschi has enjoyed his time serving as chairman, with particular regard for his close working relationships with Superintendent Matt Erickson, and the other members of the school board. “[Erickson] strives to keep the best interests of our students and employees in his sights at all times.” Hirschi looks forward to continuing those relationships in his new role on the board. “I am excited to have Dr. Darnell Simpson serving as the new board chairman. He will do a great job in that role.”
Simpson expressed gratitude to Hirschi for his leadership and dedication to the students and families in this community. “Wade has done a fantastic job in leading the board.”
“We want good working relationships with the administration, staff, kids and families in the community,” concluded Simpson. “As we work together, we can keep the good values our Star Valley schools have had, and stay away from the distraction that the rest of the worlds public schools are struggling with.”
