By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac Board of Education at its annual reorganization meeting July 18 at Patrick Hamilton Middle School re-elected President Randy Cuthbert to his eighth term.
The school board retained its 2004-2005 slate of officers for 2005-2006, including also Vice President Sherry File, nominated by Larry Seurynck; Secretary Faye Edwards, nominated by File; and Treasurer Jane Laing, nominated by File.
Laing, Edwards and William Lawrence were absent.
Greg Ferrier marked his first anniversary on the board.
Board members selected File as their Legislative Relations Network (LRN) liaison to contact legislators and to coordinate activities with other area designees.
LRN members are encouraged to get involved with local politics, including supporting and assisting state Legislature candidates.
Standing committees for 2005-2006 include: Building and Facilities, Sherry File, Larry Seurynck and Bill Lawrence; Finance, Greg Ferrier, Faye Edwards and Jane Laing; Personnel, Greg Ferrier, Bill Lawrence and Larry Seurynck; Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) liaison, Larry Seurynck and Sherry File; and Berrien/Cass board representative, President Randy Cuthbert and past president Jane Laing, alternate. Cuthbert will fill in for any committee member unable to attend a particular meeting.
The board renewed the district's membership in the MASB for $4,138 based on its audited fall pupil count of 2,700 and approved seven pages of co-curricular recommendations.
Depositories for the coming school year include Huntington National Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Michigan Liquid Asset Fund, 1st Source Bank, Flagstar Bank, Berrien Teachers Credit Union, Standard Federal Bank, Chemical Shoreline Bank and Republic Bank.
Legal counsel appointed for 2005-06 are Tom Fette of St. Joseph and Thrun Law Firm of Lansing.