District trustees elect new president,
clerk for 2005
BY DAVID RICHARDS - EDITOR@SIERRASTAR.COM

At the December meeting of the Yosemite Joint-Union High School District Board of Trustees, members of the board elected a new president, a new clerk and a new representative to the executive board of the Madera County School Boards Association.

Linda Olson, in her second year on the board, was elected president, while Priscilla Pike, in her third year on the board and last year’s president, was named clerk. Tom Allcock, a long-time board member, was named the representative to the Madera County School Boards Association.

Each position is held for one year and candidates are nominated by fellow board members, then voted on by the board collectively.
“I’m very excited,” Olson said of her new position. “I think it’s one of the best school districts in the state. Our basic curriculum is very solid and very strong. In addition, we have an extremely sophisticated arts program, from music to visual arts to theater, and the teachers we have running them are absolutely excellent.”

Olson was appointed to the board to fill the remaining term of David Hartesveldt, who resigned in 2003 after planning to move out of the area.

Olson, Allcock and board member Karen Hutchings were all sworn in to begin new, four-year terms at the December meeting. All three board members were up for re-election this year and all ran unopposed.
The board is expecting a busy year for 2005.

“One of the biggest things we will be working on this year is the complete update and revision of our entire policy manual,” Olson said. “ We have been working on it over the last year. We will be doing an intense study some time in January and we’re hoping to have the final ready for adoption in early summer.”

Bill McCabe, superintendent for the Yosemite Joint-Union High School District, said among the highlights accomplished by board members in 2004 included the beginning of a 23-classroom building project, the remodeling of the Badger football stadium, the completion of a brand new all-weather track and the dedication a new aquatic center.

All of these projects, McCabe said, were made possible through a combination of bond funds, developer fees and district contribution.
“I would say that I am excited about this year,” he said. “We have a very strong board in place that has a vision for the future.”