Citing “irreconcilable differences,” a Richmond Community Schools board officer resigned Oct. 7, and a search has begun to replace him.
In a signed note shared on his personal Facebook page, Peter Zaleski said he ran for the board on the fundamentals of transparency, communication, building relationships and working toward the best academic experience for all of the city’s youth.
Zaleski said he still believes those fundamentals are the best path forward to strengthen the future of the Richmond community.
However, Zaleski noted irreconcilable differences in those fundamentals that caused him to decide to resign from the board, effective immediately.
He did not specify what led to that resignation in his message and didn’t respond to a request from Western Wayne News for additional comment.
His departure was within days of concerns being raised about equity between Richmond High School’s girls and boys sports teams. Members of the girls varsity volleyball team said last week that they had filed Title IX complaints against the school for sex-based discrimination.
Zaleski was serving as the board’s secretary.
“My hope continues that RCS will be a school system that supports the needs of all students and supports the future vibrancy of Richmond,” he wrote.
Zaleski concluded by thanking readers for their support, and asked them to continue to support RCS’ students, staff and teachers.
Zaleski’s post elicited many responses and reactions, and commenters noted sadness about his resignation. Some of the comments came from current or recent board members, thanking him for his service.
The board accepted his resignation at its Oct. 9 meeting. Member Kym Pickering abstained from the vote, and member Aaron Stevens was absent.
During that meeting, the board set parameters for its plans to fill Zaleski’s seat within 30 days.
Applications are due at 4 p.m. Oct. 28. The board will meet in executive session on Oct. 30 to review the applicants and potentially narrow the list of candidates to invite for interviews at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6. The interviews are open to the public, but the board will go into executive session to discuss the candidates.
A special meeting will take place at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 to make the appointment and have that person take the oath of office.
The newly appointed member will serve through Dec. 31, 2026.
Voters chose Zaleski in November 2022 for one of two at-large seats filled in that election. Zaleski led the 10 candidates with 3,250, or 23.15% of all votes counted.
Kristen Brunton is the board’s current president, assisted by Vice President Nicole Stults and members Austin Brann, Aaron Stevens, Kym Pickering and John Weber.
Brann was appointed earlier this year to fill Brad Walton’s seat after Walton was hired as RCS’ facilities and security director.
Weber chose not to run for reelection this fall for his at-large seat. Incumbent Aaron Stevens and Richmond entrepreneur Cathy Hillard were unopposed for the two at-large seats.
In addition, no one filed to run against Stults for her District 1 seat.
All school board races are nonpartisan.
Timeline for RCS board member selection
Applications are available at werrichmond.com or RCS’ Administration Building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond.
Candidates must submit their application and resume by 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, to the attention of Cindy Elzemeyer at cynthiae@rcs.k12.in.us or deliver them in person to the administration building.
Candidates must be at least 21 and have lived within RCS’ boundaries for at least one year to qualify for the at-large seat.
The board will conduct interviews at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, and induct the new member at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7.
For more information, call 765-973-3335.
A version of this article appeared in the October 16 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.