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The Elgin Independent School District Board of Trustees will be under new leadership, reorganizing itself following the May 4 general election.
The May 20 Elgin ISD Board meeting saw Beth Walterscheidt and Pete Bega, who won the elections for District 3 and 6 with around 70% of the votes, sworn in to “faithfully execute the duties of the office.” Following the ceremony, the board began nominations for elected positions, where Byron Mitchell humbly asked not to be reconsidered for his seat as president.
“We so appreciate your service Mr. Mitchell. You are an amazing board president, and we certainly respect and honor you. Thank you for serving,” Superintendent of Schools Jana Rueter said.
A standing ovation in honor of Mitchell’s dedication to the district followed.
Mitchell will continue to serve as representative of District 1.
The freshly elected Walterscheidt was the sole nominee for the now open seat. Unanimously voted in, she took her new spot in the center of the table and carried out the rest of the proceedings.
Angie Edmon, District 4, was the sole nomination for vice president.
Jennifer Culver, District 7, was selected over Cheryl Reese, District 2, as School Board secretary.
Reese would later be unanimously voted in as parliamentary after Patrick Maass, District 5, emphatically denied a nomination.
“No, you don’t,” Maass said to a laughing crowd. “I do not want that, no, I do not accept the nomination.”
Rueter then took to the stand to address the 2024 Bond, also approved by voters during the general election.
“This was a bond about providing transparent information to our public, and also about supporting our compelling purpose. This will be the mark many years to come for the growth and for the children of Elgin ISD”
— Superintendent of Schools Jana Rueter
“I wanted to take a moment to thank our Elgin ISD voters. Yes, we passed a $375 million bond in May. That right there is something to cheer about,” Rueter said. “This could not have been accomplished without the hard work of every single person in this room.”
The superintendent commended her staff for acting as leaders throughout the campaigning process, providing information to parents and residents in pick-up lines and several gatherings.
The parents were very appreciative of getting face time with the board members, according to Rueter.
“This was a bond about providing transparent information to our public, and also about supporting our compelling purpose. This will be the mark many years to come for the growth and for the children of Elgin ISD,” Rueter added.
