A school board member bid farewell as a new trustee took his seat.
Taylor Independent School District swore in newly elected members to the board of trustees. Cheryl Carter and Marco Ortiz return for new threeyear terms in places 3 and 4, respectively, after drawing no opponents in the May election. Joseph Meller ran unopposed in Place 5 and replaces Thomas Rohlack.
“Thomas has over the years kind of moved me back in the direction if I was veering off somewhere, so we had that relationship” said Ortiz as he talked about Rohlack’s leadership and guidance on the board. “I’m going to miss this guy.”
The board members all spoke words and shared memories of Rohlack’s three years on the board. Rohlack was presented a plaque by Superintendent Devin Padavil commemorating his service. Padavil said he appreciated Rohlack’s inquisitiveness on past issues.
“Those questions make me a stronger leader,” said Padavil, “so you give me time to figure out what are those details that make us better.”
After the board meeting’s public comments, Meller took the Place 5 seat for the rest of the meeting. The new trustee hit the ground running asking questions on a few items.
The board nominated and unanimously voted trustees to reorganized positions in the group. Ortiz and Mitchell were re-elected president and vice-president, respectively. Carter moved from assistant secretary to secretary to replace Rohlack. Anita Volek was voted to the assistant secretary position.
The next school board election will be in 2023 when terms for Mitchell, Place 1, and Jim Buzan, at large, are set to expire. Volek’s and Marilyn Tennil’s terms for the Place 2 and at-large seats, respectively expire in 2024.
