15 apply for BOE vacancy

Rome BOE members hope to appoint a replacement for Judy Sims by Sept. 13.

Fifteen Romans have applied for the empty position on the Rome Board of Education.

Board members met Wednesday to receive copies of the letters of intent and resumes submitted by the applicants.

The board will review the letters and will interview all 15 candidates on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the boardroom at the central office, 508 E. Second St. Each interview is planned for 20 minutes.

They hope to appoint a new board member by their regular meeting on Sept. 13, according to board chair Faith Collins.

“I am pleasantly surprised at the number of applicants,” said board member Richard Dixon.

Michael Buck, superintendent, said he felt the

number was a “credit to the community and the system that so many were interested in serving.”

During the interviews, the board plans to ask the applicants questions about their perceptions of the position and what areas of expertise they will bring to the board.

“I guess the most important question is, are they aware of and willing to

give the time required to serve on this board and are they willing to participate in activities that help them grow as board members,” Collins said.

The appointed person will fill the unexpired term of Judy Sims, longtime board member who died in July. The term ends in 2017, when the whole board will go up for election.