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Cook Resigns From R-2
School Board The Chillicothe R-2 School Board accepted several resignations last (Tuesday) night in executive session, held following the regular December meeting at district headquarters. Am-ong the resignations were those of school board member, John Cook, R-2 assistant superintendent Dave May and Chillicothe Mid-dle School Principal Bryan Prewitt. Cook's resignation becomes effective Dec. 31, 2008, and leaves an empty seat on the board. Cook said today (Wednesday) that he resigned his seat for personal reasons and his decision has nothing to do with the current board or the people serving on it. "I've certainly enjoyed my time on the board - both now and in the 1970s," he said. Cook was first elected to the R-2 school board in April 1971 for a one-year term and was re-elected three times after that. He served as treasurer from 1971 to 1973, as vice president from 1974-1975, as president from 1975 to 1976, as vice president from 1978 to 1979 and as president from 1979 to 1980. He went off the board in April 1981. He was re-elected to the school board in 2002 and served as treasurer from a year later. In 2005 he was tapped as vice president and he served as president in 2006. Cook's resignation leaves a void on the seven-seat board, however instead of appointing someone to fill the vacancy, board members decided to leave the position open since Cook's seat is one of three up for grabs during the April 8 election. In May's letter of resignation, the assistant superintendent reported that he is retiring effective June 30, 3008 with "mixed emotions." "I have decided to retire for a number of reasons but most importantly for me it is just time to take a different direction with my life," May wrote. He added that he has devoted 30 years (most of his working career and his life) to the Chillicothe R-2 School District. "It has been truly a labor of love and I will forever cherish the memories and the friendships," May said. He added that he is "deeply appreciative" for the personal and professional support that he has received as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent. "I feel very fortunate to have worked with the best. Our community is blessed to have so many who serve as an inspiration and example to our children." May began his career in the Chillicothe R-2 School District after earning his education degree from Northeast Missouri State in 1978. He first taught as a biology teacher - a position he held until 1993, when he became the district's A-Plus coordinator. Three years later, May was named the high school principal and in 2000, he was tapped as the assistant superintendent. He noted that there have been a few aspects of his position over the years that he will not miss, such as flood control issues at R-2 headquarters and 4 a.m. road condition checks in the winter. However, he was quick to add that he will treasure the friendships he has formed over the years with staff members and colleagues. He and his wife, Terri, (who works as a special education aide at Field School) have been married for almost 30 years. Their three daughters - all graduates of Chillicothe High School - are: Traci Moore, of Omaha, Neb., Katie May, a student at Northwest Missouri State University, and Kimberly, who is enrolled in the nursing program at North Central Community College. May said he doesn't have any immediate future plans, but said "a few things are in the works." He said he and his wife do plan to stay in the area. "This is a great community, a great place to raise a family and the community's been very good to us,” he said. Wallace reported that the search to find a new assistant superintendent will likely begin around the first of the year and a new assistant superintendent will likely be named in February with the next incoming superintendent taking an active role in the hiring process. (Wallace announced a few months ago that he will be retiring as superintendent at the end of the the fiscal year. Interviews of prospective superintendent candidates have been conducted and Wallace reported today that officials were awaiting a signed contract before announcing the next R-2 superintendent. That announcement is expected to be made Thursday morning). Prewitt's resignation as middle school principal becomes effective on June 30, 2008 and he will begin his new position as superintendent of the Albany R-3 School District on July 1, 2008. |
