Dexter School Board Selects Chris Gordon to Fill Vacancy

The Dexter Community Schools Board of Education has selected local resident Chris Gordon to fill a vacancy on the board beginning Feb. 6.

Gordon, a former U.S. Navy pilot, was unanimously selected among nine candidates to fill Trustee Kim Covert's seat following Monday night's candidate interviews.

"I'm extremely honored to be selected," Gordon said. "The pool of candidates for the position was impressive."

Gordon said he has attended several school board meetings and was eager to contribute his insight on the board.

"Since retiring from the military, it's been hard not being able to serve people in some capacity," he explained. "As I attended the meetings and listened to the issues, it seemed like applying for the vacancy was a natural fit.”

Covert, who was elected to the board in 2007, to accept a position as community education programming coordinator for the district.

Gordon will serve out the term through 2013, when the seat will be up for re-election.

"This is a great opportunity to be both involved and engaged as a parent and also fulfill the concept of service," he said. "Kim has big shoes to fill. I think the role of the board is to look at the long-term impact of its decisions, and craft policies that help the district move forward.

"It's encouraging that the board is focused on a strategic vision despite fiscal uncertainty at the state level. Keeping the education experience for our students as preeminent as it is now is important to me. The district has a great reputation for education and for not just preserving the status quo."

Gordon has two children enrolled in the school district currently and another entering kindergarten next year.