NEW PALESTINE — Of five candidates vying to join the Southern Hancock School Board, New Palestine native Jon Hooker was selected at a board meeting this week to fill a vacancy.
Hooker, New Palestine, will represent District 3 on the school board. The at-large position represents both District 1 and District 2, which takes up the western part of the school district.
The board moved to fill the open position created when Craig Wagoner stepped down in July because he was moving out of the district.
Wagoner, whose term expires Dec. 31, 2022, had served on the board for seven years. Hooker will now serve to the end of Wagoner’s term; the seat will then be up for election to a four-year term in November 2022.
Hooker, who grew up in the area, said he was excited to be selected to the board by the current members and was looking forward to getting to work.
“Having grown up here and chosen to raise my kids here, I have had a strong urge to serve our community and give back,” Hooker said.
Hooker joins board members Dan Walker, Matt Ackerman, Laura Haeberle and Brian McKinney.
“Joining this fantastic school board for me is about working with a great group of leaders,” Hooker said. “We have a lot on our plates right now, and I look forward to this opportunity.”
McKinney, the board president, said Hooker will be an excellent addition to the board.
“Jon is a well-respected member of our community who cares deeply about the success of our school corporation,” McKinney said. “We are excited to have him join the board and can’t wait to move forward with the 2020-21 school year.”
The board interviewed five candidates at a meeting on Monday, Aug. 17, and then gathered again Tuesday to vote on the appointment.
The other candidates were Jim Buist, Tracy Jacquez, Darcy Porter and Donnie Turner.
Hooker will be sworn in at the board’s next meeting, which is a work session, slated for 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24. The board will then hold an executive session for training that evening at 6 p.m.
