After patrons voted to open up position four on the Board of Education, district members have been busy working on finding someone to fill the now vacant chair.

To fill the position, the Board is using a process similar to one they have used in the past, when board members have stepped down due to moving out of the districts and other circumstances.

“[Just] because this was caused by a recall versus a resignation, that is not changing our process,” said Board member Kevin Makalous. “What you would need to do [to apply for the position] is to contact the clerk of the board … she’ll send you an application packet, which you then need to return to her. Then she will confirm that everything is in good order and invite you to address the board at our October 3rd board meeting. It is at that meeting that the board will interview the applicants for the position and then we will reconvene for a special meeting … [where] we will pick the replacement.”

The replacement board member will finish the remaining two years left on the chair’s  term .

Board members, including Makalous, have specific criteria they are looking for in the new member to take up the fourth chair.

“I’m personally looking for someone that has active involvement in the district. My hope would be that they have children that are currently enrolled in the district, so that [they’re aware] of the day to day issues that our students and our educators are facing. One thing that’s very important to me is that personal tie to the district,” Makalous said.

Recall vote co-organizer Anh Nguyen, along with many other patrons throughout the district, believed the recall vote was very necessary and are looking forward to see who will be elected into the open position.

“The people voted in the official, so they should also be given the opportunity to vote to have him or her recalled,” Nguyen said.

Makalous hopes the recall experience will encourage voters to look closer into who they are voting for.

“The way we prevent these things is to pay attention to the candidates and get engaged and understand who we’re casting our ballots for … As much as everyone [is] frustrated and upset of how this all came about, the voters were the ones who chose [the previous chair holder],” Makalous said. “It certainly is up to the voters to figure out who they’re electing to these seats. It has such an ability to affect our community and our kids.”

Regardless, Board members, staff and patrons alike believe only positive things can come out of the vote.

“I think a lot of awareness has been brought to the impact that the board of education can have on the district and on our kids and our community, which I’m not sure everyone really was as clued into as before,” Makalous said. “The community is paying attention and they want [the Board members] to work together as a team to move this district forward … I think there’s just no doubt that it has had a positive impact on it.