Board Member Alexander Resigns: Cites Health Concerns

“Mike Alexander bid his board of education colleagues an emotional farewell at the June meeting, announcing his resignation due to ongoing health challenges.

Alexander was hospitalized at least twice over the past 12 months and was unable to attend one meeting because of his health. In April he was elected to his second term on the board.

Dabbing at his eyes, Alexander said his time of service was “fun, rewarding. I am so proud of what we have put in place.

“This won’t be the last time you’ll see me. I’ll continue to participate in Father’s Club, youth floor hockey, basketball,” Alexander said. “But tonight will be my last meeting.”

Board member Larry Knox said Alexander was “always a strong supporter of anyone at the table who wanted to try something different.” Board President Mike McNeil said the greatest testimony of the esteem Alexander was held came at the recent graduation when students came up to give him a hug.

McNeil, with the board’s consent, will appoint a replacement for Alexander, most likely at the August board meeting unless a special meeting is called before that.

Affton School District residents wishing to be considered for the vacancy may submit a letter stating their qualifications and reasons for wishing to be on the board to Carol Loehr, Secretary to the Board, 8701 Mackenzie Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63123. The letters must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday July 8, 2011.

The resident selected to fill the vacancy will hold office until April 2012.

Handing Over The Reigns

The board of education formally congratulated Ken Weissflug for a successful year as interim superintendent. Beginning July 1, Weissflug will resume the role of assistant superintendent as Steve Brotherton takes the district’s helm.

“You left us in better shape than when you took over, and we thank you,” said Board Vice President Doug Beck.

Brotherton joined the Affton School District last year, serving as principal of Mesnier Primary School. Prior to that he was assistant superintendent at the Bayless School District for five years, and elementary principal at the Mehlville School District for 17 years prior to that.

Affton Family Fund

The board approved a set of guidelines for administration of the Affton Family Fund but, as it did last month, balked at its full implementation at the advice of board member Chris Castellanos.

In May, the district guidance staff recommended the establishment of the fund, which will be generated through voluntary donations from the staff and will make measured monetary assistance available to district families that are experiencing crises. The board approved the concept, but put the brakes on until a set of guidelines for administering the funds was in place.

The guidelines approved at this month’s meeting limit fund availability to families with children attending Affton District schools, bars district employees’ families from eligibility and empowers Special School District social workers, district counselors, nurses and administrators to sign off on fund disbursements. Larger requests (over $100) would require the consent of the assistant superintendent.

Castellanos again advised caution, urging the board to have legal counsel review the guidelines before the program is implemented. The board agreed to seek a legal review.”

Read more: http://www.southcountytimes.com/Articles-i-2011-06-24-175739.114137-Board-Member-Alexander-Resigns-Cites-Health-Concerns.html#ixzz1ZkVHJEUr

Printed in the South County Times on June 24, 2011

Article by Joe Leicht

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