The Salem School Board has a new chairman for the first time in almost 15 years. Board members selected David Preston as chairman last night; he will succeed Sally Southard, who is leaving the board when her term expires in December. Southard joined the board in 1996 and has served as chairman since 1999. Michael Chiglinsky is the board’s new vice-chairman.
(Continue reading for the full Salem City Schools news release.)
For the first time in nearly 15 years, the City of Salem School Board has a new Chairman.
At last night’s annual reorganizational meeting, the current members of the school board unanimously appointed David Preston as the new chairman and Michael Chiglinsky as the board’s new vice-chairman.
Sally Southard, who is retiring from the school board when her current term expires in December, has been the chair of the Salem School Board since 1999. She was first appointed to the board in 1996.
“We will celebrate 30 years as a school division this fall and Sally has been a school board member for more than half of that time,” says Superintendent, Alan Seibert. “Sally is an amazing community servant who has been a consistently well-reasoned, intelligent, articulate leader who has always put the needs of students first because she has never had a personal agenda.”
“When I came on board the renovation of G.W. Carver was just being completed, now the young kindergarten students are learning on laptops and iPads, so a lot has happened in that span of time,” says Southard. “It’s time for some new blood, some fresh ideas and members who still have kids in the school division.”
Southard, who made the motion to elect Preston as her replacement, will assist in the transition of the new leadership team, as she serves out the final five months or her unparalleled tenure on the school board.
“It is an honor to serve both on the board and now as chairman,” says Preston. “Sally set the bar high in leadership and professionalism and I am excited to see us continue her great work with our children in Salem.”
