Melissa Adams, president of the Jefferson Local school board, will finish her four-year term on the board at the end of this month. She did not run for re-election. She received a plaque from the district in appreciation of her service.
(Posted Dec. 14, 2021)
By Linda Dillman, Staff Writer
As the new year approaches, the Jefferson Local school board is bidding goodbye to President Melissa Adams as she finishes her four-year board term.
Adams was elected as board president on Jan. 11, 2021, after having previously served as vice president. She joined the West Jefferson community more than a decade ago and is a volunteer with the West Jefferson Youth Athletic Association and Jefferson Local high school and middle school athletics.
She was elected to the school board in November 2017 and took office in January 2018.
“It’s been my pleasure to work with Melissa for four years,” said Superintendent William Mullett during the Dec. 14 school board meeting.
Board Vice President Mike Quinn said Adams has done an outstanding job as president and that it has been a “real joy” to know her.
“Three of us here have served as president, and it certainly is a challenge,” said board member David Harper, a past board president. He noted that Adams served during a year that included the successful negotiation of two contracts.
Board member Dr. Meg Hiss said Adams experienced many firsts in her four-year term on the board. After accepting a plaque of appreciation from Mullett, Adams said it has truly been a pleasure to serve.
Adams did not run for re-election on the Nov. 2 ballot. Incumbent Whitney Duemmel, who was appointed to the board on Aug. 10 following the passing of Jerry Doran in June, retained her seat.
Addie Newman was the second top voter getter and will be sworn in during the board’s organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10. The regular board meeting follows at 7 p.m.
In other action, the board approved the hiring of Maria Murray as the new middle school art teacher effective Jan. 4 through the end of the 2021-2022 school year. The board also awarded Murray an extracurricular contract to serve as the school’s art show advisor.
Andrew Bevan resigned as middle school head boys’ wrestling coach. Volunteer high school assistant wrestling coaches Jake Datz and James Violet also resigned. David Skaggs will serve as the middle school head wrestling coach with Bevan serving on a volunteer basis as an assistant coach. Dylan Wildman also will serve as a middle school volunteer assistant coach.
The board approved Danni Hiles as a volunteer middle school assistant girls’ basketball coach and Shelby King as the middle school yearbook advisor.
Board members also gave the go-ahead to a TIF agreement for Columbus Logistics Park West Land.
