Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
District to replace longtime board member
The Owen J. Roberts School District is accepting applications to fill the school board seat of William LaCoff.
The Owen J. Roberts School District is accepting applications to fill the seat on the school board vacated recently by a longtime board member who many said served with integrity and made the district proud.
William LaCoff stepped down from his seat effective Feb. 24 after serving nearly five terms on the school board dating back to 1996. LaCoff served as board president for three years in addition to his work on a variety of committees. He also served two separate terms as the governing board president of the Pennsylvania School Board Association and has been active with the National School Boards Association.
LaCoff said at the Feb. 27 board meeting the reason he’ll be stepping down is because he’ll be moving to “the old folks home.” He described his time on the board as a “long and wonderful ride” and thanked the school community for its support and for making him proud.
“From the bottom of my heart,” he said, “thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Superintendent Michael Christian thanked LaCoff and presented him with a statue and certificate as a showing of appreciation for his service. Christian said LaCoff served with “integrity, honesty and dedication.”
“Bill has selflessly served the children of the Owen J. Roberts School District,” Christian said. “His priority has been to provide quality educational opportunities for all students.”
School board members praised LaCoff and the impact he left on the district.
LaCoff put his heart and soul into his work, board member Pamela Clouser Wolfe said, and there will be a void on the board in his absence. Board member James B. Frees II said he learned a lot from his time spent with LaCoff and board member Melissa Booth called him a mentor.
While she rarely agreed with LaCoff’s opinions on school subjects, board member Kristina Barcus said she appreciated his ability to respectfully disagree with her and then put aside disagreements after meetings were over. She then wished him luck in the future.
Board member Lisa A. Huzzard said LaCoff will be missed.
Board Vice President Douglass Hughes said LaCoff’s work should be commended and board President William Kleinfelter said he appreciated LaCoff’s perspective
on issues. “Thank you for your service to the community,” Kleinfelter said. “We’re going to lose an asset.”
The district is reviewing applications to fill his seat. The term to be filled by the board will continue to Dec. 4, 2017 when the appointment will expire. According to the district, to be qualified for school board service, a person must be a citizen of Pennsylvania, be of good moral character, be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment, not be a holder of any office or position; nor shall the individual be a member of the governing body of a municipality within which the district’s
governing body is located. Additionally, an applicant shall not have been removed from any office of trust under federal, state, or local laws for any malfeasance in such office or be engaged in any business transaction, be employed by the district, or receive pay for services from the district, except as provided by law following the date of appointment.
The district is reviewing applications to fill his seat. The term to be filled by the board will continue to Dec. 4, 2017 when the appointment will expire.