School Board VP steps down

By Christina Beam, Baraboo News Republic 5/1/07

Baraboo School Board Vice President Judd Maxwell resigned from office Friday, just three weeks after winning re-election. Then Monday, he turned in an application for the district's newly created activities director position.

Maxwell, a longtime WIAA football official and former teacher, said in his resignation letter to the board and administrators that he was "preparing to chase a long sought-after dream … one that would still allow me to keep my focus on children and their achievements."

Maxwell advocated for creation of the position as a School Board member but abstained from the April 9 vote that made it official. On Monday, he said that at the time of the vote, he hadn't decided whether he would apply, but wanted to keep his options open and avoid a possible conflict of interest.

"This is an opportunity that is not only right for me on a personal level in terms of pursuing a meaningful life of being of service to others, but it has come about at a time when I have been giving a great deal of thought about my career and professional pathways in life," he said. "I think I can have an even greater impact working at a level where I'm down in the trenches."

The application period for the position ended Monday, and an interview panel of administrators and community members will make a recommendation on the position in the coming weeks. Baraboo High School Principal Machell Schwarz did not return calls for comment Monday on how many applications the school had received or the hiring timeline, but School Board President Kevin Vodak said quite a few people had applied.

"There is no preconceived notion from me or anybody on the board that Mr. Maxwell's applying for the position leaves the foregone conclusion that he's going to get it, and I know Mr. Maxwell feels the same way," Vodak said. "He's going to have to stand on his own and he's going to have to go through the process. … His application will be given the same consideration as everyone else who applies."

Maxwell's resignation, which was effective immediately Friday, leaves the six remaining members to find a replacement in the next 60 days. Board policy states the vacancy will be advertised in the newspaper at least three times with a set deadline. Anyone interested can submit a letter of application to the board, then go through an interview process during a special board meeting. The board chooses an appointee and an alternate by simple majority. The new board member will finish out the remainder of Maxwell's three-year term.

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