The Riley County School Board has filled one of three vacancies on the board.
Sara Wahlmeier-Cox, who finished as runner up in District 3 last fall with 43% of the vote, was sworn in during a special meeting Wednesday. She replaces Jeff Hancock, who defeated her, but abruptly resigned his seat on Feb. 12, following disagreements with a majority of the board on several matters, including the suspension and eventual termination of the superintendent.
Board President Samantha Brown says normally the board would interview candidates to fill any vacancy.
“When Jeff stepped down we talked to KASB (Kansas Association of School Boards) and we’ve talked to our attorneys and appointing her to that position since she ran for that position and had votes from our constituents, was the advice we were given,” she said.
Wahlmeier-Cox submitted an application for the vacant position on March 4. She will serve in the position until the November 2025 general election and would then have to file for election to serve out the remaining two years.
Two additional board seats remain vacant, following the March 4 resignations of Nathan Mead and Justin Ricketts.
