School board welcomes two new members

Clay County Public Schools swore in new board members Erin Skipper and Michele Hanson during its Nov. 22 organizational meeting. Ashley Gilhousen also took the oath of office for her third, four-year term on the school district’s governing board. Gilhousen’s colleagues elected her as chair of the board for the year. The panel elected outgoing chair Mary Bolla as vice-chair.

Superintendent David Broskie presented Bolla with a word cloud to commemorate her service as chair.

“Traditionally, we had a plaque that we gave, and it was kind of a non-descript plaque, so we decided to go off-script and do something entirely different that we’ve never done before in honoring our chair,” Broskie said.  

The superintendent said the collection of words in different sizes and fonts was arranged in the shape of an apple. He added that several district employees were asked to contribute words that they felt described Bolla.

“There are several words that are on here:” Broskie said, “

Conscientious, optimistic, genuine, respected, honest, authentic, kind, empathetic modest. All of those certainly describe Mary Bolla.”