CCS board accepts Laura Maddox’s resignation

■ Editor’s note: See next week’s issue for more on Tuesday’s board meeting, including discussion of Critical Race Theory, Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the state’s proposed health standards and a proposed resolution rejecting the proposed health standards.   

Board members at Chase County Schools reluctantly accepted Laura Maddox’s resignation Tuesday night.
    Maddox, who was elected to the board of education in November 2020 and took her seat in January, said in a letter to the board that Tuesday’s meeting was the final one at which she would be present. She asked that the resignation be effective after the meeting.
    It was accepted on a unanimous vote, but not without her fellow board members’ thanks.
    “I know you’ve had a short time on the board but we appreciate you stepping up,” said board president Karl Meeske.
    Maddox’s husband, Jeff Bechard, started in the position of Senior Vice President of Grain  with Central Valley Ag in York in January.
    She and her family are completing their move to Lincoln this week, she said.
    The family moved to Imperial in 2018. Their daughters, Gianna and Isabella, will be starting their 8th grade and sophomore years in school, respectively, this fall.
    Supt. Adam Lambert told board members Tuesday that CCS must advertise that the board position is open. He has been in touch with the school’s legal counsel for direction.
    It’s up to the board on how that position is filled, and action on an appointment must be taken within 45 days of the resignation.
    After some discussion, board president Meeske asked each member to submit names of individuals as the potential appointee.
    The names will then be considered by a board committee to be named by Meeske. It’s expected the committee will forward to the full board their recommendation from the list of names. Approval would come on a simple majority board vote.
    Meeske said he’d like to see the person appointed at the August meeting.
    The person appointed will fill out Maddox’s four-year term through December 2024.