SINCLAIRVILLE - Paul Mihalko, who was elected to a five-year term on the Cassadaga Valley Central Board of Education in May 2010, has resigned from the board effective May 12. The resignation was made public at Monday's meeting of the board. No reason was reported at the meeting.
Board president David Christy said, "I just want to thank Mr. Mihalko and wish him the best from here on out."
Mihalko, reached by telephone after the meeting, was straightforward in his response when asked why he resigned. He said, "As soon as the posting for the high school principal vacancy (at Cassadaga Valley) was done and I decided to apply, I resigned. I saw being on the board as a conflict of interest."
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Paul Mihalko
The board discussed three options for filing the vacancy: leave the position vacant until the next annual school board election in May 2013, appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy, or hold a special public election to fill the vacancy by Aug. 2, 2012.
Board member William Carlson started the discussion by saying he could see either option one or two, but did not want to hold a special election. The other board members agreed they did not want a special election. Christy suggested former school board members could be contacted to gauge whether any had interest in filling in.
Christy said, "Then they could hit the ground running."
Board member Jeanne Oag felt that whether a new person started now or in May there would be a lot to learn.
The board also discussed leaving the position vacant. This would mean that there would be a four-member board until the next election.
"We don't argue that much," said Christy. In recent times, the board has rarely had a 3-2 split on an issue.
The issue was discussed this meeting, but action was left for the next board meeting in July.
A number of other resignations from school personnel were accepted by the board.
Dorene Farnham, teacher aid, resigned effective May 18.
Richard Macdonald, bus driver, resigned effective June 22.
Elizabeth Rich, elementary school principal, resigned effective July 13.
Kristina Bodamer, elementary teacher, resigned effective June 30
John Ognibene, sixth-grade elementary teacher, resigned for the purpose of retirement effective Jan 5, 2014.
Mark Klose, elementary music teacher, resigned for the purpose of retirement effective June 30, 2013.
Nancy Main, high school English teacher, resigned for the purpose of retirement effective June 30, 2013.
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