LAKEPORT — The Lakeport Unified School District Governing Board filled its vacancy during its lone August meeting Thursday night.
Wally Cox, an insurance agent, became the newest member of the board after it appointed him to fill the vacant position. A public hearing occurred before the vote that had board members interview Cox. Board member Dennis Darling said he recruited Cox for the position.
Cox said his three children went through the district and went onto college, so he was grateful for the district for helping his children. Cox said he had experience serving on a school site council in the 1990s for a few years. He said his insurance agent job has given him an interest in risk management, something he hoped to bring to the table as a board member.
Cox said he had leadership experience, serving as president of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport recently and as a deacon at his church. He said he would be able to handle any criticism for his decisions as a board member. After his appointment, Cox was sworn in and joined the rest of the members on the board.
The board approved a change order for the construction of a new playground at Lakeport Elementary School. Epidendio Construction submitted the change order after taking care of some extra things not included in the original contract. Superintendent Erin Smith-Hagberg said the contractor had to repair three sinkholes that opened up during construction. The change order put the contractor bid at $208,000, up from $189,500. The board unanimously approved the change order.
