Western Wayne Schools’ board president has resigned, and one public and one private session are planned before the regular April meeting to discuss selecting a new member and a superintendent.
Although WWS officials haven’t called attention to the resignation of board president David Sturgis, they provided an agenda for a 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, executive session to Western Wayne News that disclosed that information.
Citing Indiana Code, the executive session agenda noted the meeting can be private because it will only include discussion or strategy with respect to potential candidates for a school board vacancy.
David Sturgis’ name was absent from those signing the notice. The remaining listed members are Kris Bex, vice president; Brent Fortman, secretary; and Jenni Risch and Phil Pflum.
Board members appointed Sturgis in August 2020 to replace board president Kevin Munchel after Munchel accepted a job with the school district. Sturgis was one of three candidates to seek the appointment. He had to resign his paid position as junior varsity girls basketball coach to join the board.
Sturgis faced no opposition in the 2024 election to continue representing District A, and received 1,631 votes.
Also in that election, Bex was unopposed in his bid to join the board for District B. At-large candidate Jenni Risch defeated Todd Patterson with 67% of votes.
Additional meetings
WWS’ website also notes a special board session at 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, that’s focused on a search for superintendent candidates. That public meeting takes place in Lincoln Middle/High School’s Room 80, which can be accessed through Door 33 at 215 E. Parkway Drive.
The agenda notes an Indiana School Board Association representative will present and discuss the process to search for a new superintendent.
The board normally conducts a public meeting at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday each month.
The March meeting’s agenda noted the meeting would take place April 16, a week later than usual, without offering a reason.
Because WWS has a five-member board, at least three must be present for votes to be cast. After a resignation, their attendance is even more important when at least three of the four must attend.
In recent years, some board members have had to occasionally recuse themselves from votes because they have conflicts of interest, such as being related to school employees.
The board’s April regular public meeting was later rescheduled to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Lincoln Middle/High School, 215 E. Parkway Drive. Visitors can reach the meeting in the esports room by using door 32.
In addition to choosing a new board member, WWS board members also must begin searching for a new superintendent to replace Andy Stover. Earlier this month, Stover accepted the role of chief operating officer for Fayette County School Corp. Stover joined WWS in August 2021. This will be WWS’ first board meeting since FCSC’s announcement.
WWS is also losing its director of titles and grants, Chad Lieberman, this summer. His resignation was accepted at March’s board meeting.
WWN attempted to reach Sturgis and two additional board members for comment, but did not receive responses before press time.
A version of this article appeared in the April 23 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.