By Annabeth Miller
ShowMe Times Editor

There’s a bit of a routine that school boards must follow after an election.

• The “old” board certifies the election results from the election.
• Board members vote to adjourn the board
• The board secretary administers the oath of office to newly-elected and reelected members
• With the superintendent presiding, the board reconvenes and a new Board President is elected
• With the new president presiding, other new officers are elected – including vice president, secretary and treasurer.
• The new president calls the newly-reorganized board to order.

It’s a necessary “dance” that signifies the board is ready for business and the Dexter Board of Education proceeded through the steps Tuesday evening, welcoming a new member.

Newly elected board member Kevin Bishop and Betty Keirsey and Kevin Nea, who were reelected in last week’s election, were sworn into office by acting secretary Peggy Currie.

Following the swearing-in, the board elected Herman Morse as president and the “dean” of the local school board, Betty Kiersey, was elected vice president.

Keirsey has served on the Dexter board since 1993 and was reelected last week to her seventh term on the board. She has twice served as president (in 1999 and 2002) and was once before elected vice president (in 1998).

Nea was reelected to the board April 5, and is beginning his second term on the local school board. He was first elected in 2008.

Bishop had praise for the board members and the district’s administration following Tuesday evening’s meeting.

“I look forward to serving on the board and with all the members and administrators,” Bishop said. “The biggest thing I want to do is to thank all the Dexter citizens that voted for me. Without their support I know I couldn’t serve in this capacity. I hope to serve to the best of my ability.”

Bishop had praise for the other board members and for Supt. Dr. Tom Sharp and the administration.

“Their experience and knowledge will make it an easier transition for me onto the board,” he said. “Dr. Sharp is really proactive, and that will help as we address issues. There’s going to be challenges, and I hope that with my banking background and the experience of the board we will be able to address these challenges.”