By Sukainah Abid-Kons, contributor
While the first school board meeting of 2026 included a change in leadership roles, it also signaled a changing of the guard with the announcement that the longest-tenured current school board member wouldn’t seek re-election this fall.
The meeting opened with Tim Howley being nominated to take on the role of board chair, which was previously held by Emma Phillips. Phillips served as chair throughout 2025 and nominated Howley, who had been vice chair, to succeed her. Howley then nominated Matt Snyder to take his place as vice chair. The board approved both nominations unanimously. Howley and Snyder are the two most junior members of the board, having both been first elected in November of 2024.
Superintendent Micheal Richards also recognized Howley and Phillips for their leadership on the board.
Andy Kohen also announced that, after 11 years of service on the board, his time would be over when his current term expires at the end of 2026. Kohen first won a seat in November 2014.
Already thinking ahead, he suggested that those interested in running for the seat might shadow him – such as attending specific meetings – to ensure that whoever fills that role feels prepared.
In addition to the seat Kohen has filled, two other spots on the board are up for election this year. Phillips and Kristen Loflin’s terms also expire at the end of the year.
The board on Tuesday also moved through some motions to ensure that everything could run smoothly in the coming year, mostly focusing on fiscal functions. The board also approved those who could represent the superintendent at meetings in the case of Richards’ absence.
While this agenda might sound packed – lengthy, even – the meeting adjourned in less than a half-hour, possibly setting the record, board members joked, for the shortest meeting held yet.
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