Clawson

Clawson school board to fill vacancy

By Chris Jackett
C & G Staff Writer

The Clawson Public Schools’ Board of Education is expected to select its newest member Monday night.

Trustee Brad Batur, who was just elected to the board in November 2012, resigned Jan. 7 with a short message to the district and his fellow board members before he even had the chance to be seated at a board meeting.

“I unfortunately have too many aspects of my family and work life that take precedent over the position, and I will not be able to provide the time and commitment the position deserves to help the community,” Batur said in the message.

Batur did not respond to messages seeking further comment last week.

“Our policies state that the board does nominate and elect when there is a vacancy, so that person will serve until our next election, which is November of 2014,” Board President Kevin Turner said at the Jan. 14 Board of Education meeting. “At that time, the voters will vote that position.”

The full term of the position expires Dec. 31, 2016, following the 2014 election at the midway point.

Batur, a Schalm parent, and Kevin Sheridan, a high school parent, were elected to the board two months ago. Batur was the only candidate on a ballot with two vacancies, but Sheridan won a three-man write-in battle with Schalm parent Brady DiAntonio and preschool parent Glenn Shepard.

With Batur’s resignation seven days into his term, those interested in filling the seat were asked Jan. 8 to apply by the end of the business day Jan. 18. The applicants were scheduled to be publicly interviewed by the Board of Education at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in the boardroom. At the conclusion of the interviews, which were expected to last 45 minutes apiece, Turner said the board would select a new member to be appointed to the vacant seat.

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Linda Gould said Jan. 18 that there were three applicants, including DiAntonio, former late-1990s school board member and current Kenwood Parent Teacher Association President Linda Grossman and Steve McDiarmid, whose child is still a toddler. Shepard did not apply.

The board will next meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at 626 Phillips Ave.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Chris Jackett at cjackett@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1110.