There is a vacancy on the Lopez Island School District Board of Directors. Former Director and Board Chairperson Diana Hancock has announced her resignation, citing increasing work load and other factors. Hancock, a local attorney has served on the board since January 2006, when she was appointed to a vacant position created by the departure of Christa Campbell. Hancock was subsequently elected to her position at the next school board election, and has served as chairperson for four years.

During that time, Hancock has been involved in the board’s leadership of the Lopez School through the reorganization of district office and building level administration, the hiring of two superintendents and two principals, completion of several major capital improvement projects from the 2008 bond, the emergency replacement of the elementary sprinkler system, successful passage of bonds and levies, and hiring new staff. Hancock has also seen a significant expansion of the Farm-to-School program, the reorganization of the elementary school, and the continued efforts toward improving student learning for which Lopez School is dedicated. Hancock served on the board that recently re-hired Superintendent Bill Evans into that part-time position.

“I have appreciated Director Hancock’s dedicated leadership and consistent high regard for staff and students,” Evans said. “I owe her a debt of gratitude for helping bring me back to this great school.”

The Lopez School Board is seeking interested candidates to fill the vacancy created by Hancock’s departure. The board will interview interested candidates at their regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 26. From those interviews the board will select a candidate to appoint as director. The new director will serve in that position until the next school board elections, in November 2013, at which time the director will stand for election by the voters. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to Superintendent Evans at Lopez School, 86 School Road, Lopez Island 98261, or by email at bevans@lopez.k12.wa.us. For more info, contact Evans at 468-2202 or by email.

“The staff and students of Lopez School have been blessed with dedicated and committed board members who have had the best interests of the students consistently and always foremost in their deliberations,” Evans said. “We are looking forward to the selection of a new director to fill out the roster and help us to continue to move forward.”