School board to accept applications for open seat

The Douglas County school board will start accepting applications Wednesday to fill the seat held by former President Mike Peterson, who resigned Nov. 30, as members plan to appoint a new director next month.

Douglas County School District’s Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a timeline for members to fill the vacancy on the elected seven- member board.

Members plan to choose from a group of finalists and vote on who should replace Peterson on Jan. 23, according to the resolution.

Peterson, who stepped down because his family is moving, resigned two years before his term was set to expire.

The board officially accepted Peterson’s resignation during a special meeting held Tuesday.

People interested in serving on the board have until noon Jan. 5 to apply for the position. Candidates for the job must be a resident of the school district for at least 12 consecutive months as well as a resident of Peterson’s district.

This is the second time this year that the school board has had to fill a vacancy.

The board voted in June to fill a seat previously held by Elizabeth Hanson, who resigned before her term ended. Hanson cited differences with the board’s conservative majority when she resigned, such as changes to the district’s equity policy.

Peterson was one of four conservative candidates who won the majority of seats on the board during the 2021 election in a race that drew national headlines.

The other members of that majority include Christy Williams, Kaylee Winegar and Becky Myers.

Peterson’s tenure on the board was contentious as the conservative majority sought to roll back mask mandates during the pandemic, change the district’s equity policy and oust former Superintendent Corey Wise.

In November’s election, voters supported candidates that opposed policies backed by the conservative majority, electing incumbent Susan Meek and newcomers Brad Geiger and Valerie Thompson.

Directors chose Williams as the board’s next president during a split vote last month. Peterson declined to recuse himself during the vote, choosing Williams over Meek.

The board has 60 days to appoint a replacement after a member resigns.

If the divided school board is deadlocked and doesn’t pick a replacement for Peterson by Feb. 10, then Williams will appoint a new member as required by law, according to the resolution.