July 20, 2022
The Van Wert City Schools Board of Education seeks applicants to fill the unexpired term of board member Dr. Rachel S. White, who resigned her position July 19, 2022.
The board will begin interviewing candidates soon and must name a replacement within 30 days of the resignation. The newly appointed member will serve until December 31, 2023. If the appointed member desires to continue serving, he or she must run in the next general election.
Dr. White was appointed to the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education on December 19, 2018, and re-elected to a four year term beginning January 1, 2020. Dr. White has submitted her resignation from the Board of Education to pursue other interests.
Anthony Adams, Van Wert City Schools Board of Education President, would like to thank Dr. White for her faithful service to the Van Wert City School District. Adams shared, “I cannot express how rare it is for a board of education to include a member who holds a PhD in education policy who also teaches graduate level courses on education policy and politics.”
Rachel received her Bachelor's degree in public policy from The University of Michigan, a Master's degree in education leadership and policy from The Ohio State University, and a PhD in education policy from Michigan State University. Rachel is also a board member for the YWCA of Van Wert County and recently concluded her time as chair of the Ford School of Public Policy Alumni Board. As a former Division I college athlete (track & cross country), Rachel is passionate about supporting health and wellness, including serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the VWHS track and cross country teams. She is currently an assistant professor of educational leadership at Old Dominion University. However, she recently accepted a faculty position in educational policy and leadership at the University of Tennessee and will be relocating to Knoxville, Tennessee.
During her time on the VWCS Board, Rachel focused on ensuring that each and every VWCS student has equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities. Dr. White leveraged her experience and expertise to improve district policies, successfully navigate the collective bargaining process, and serve as the board liaison on the athletic council. Rachel also served in the hiring of Superintendent Mark Bagley as well as Treasurer Michelle Mawer. We wish Rachel well in all her future endeavors.
Those interested in serving on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education should contact Julie Anderson at (419) 238-0648 or j_anderson@vwcs.net, or visit www.vwcs.net for an application. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, July 29, 2022.
According to Ohio law, people serving on Ohio school boards must be at least 18 years old, district residents, and registered voters.
Adams said the board will review all applications and decide on the replacement at its August 17, 2022 meeting.