Lyndonville fails to reach majority vote to pick BOE president and VP

Photos by Tom Rivers: Patrick Whipple speaks during Tuesday’s Lyndonville Board of Education meeting after he was nominated for the board president. Jerod Thurber, the current president, is at left. Thurber wants to step back as president due to increased demands in his career. After the board was deadlocked, 3-3, Thurber needed to stay president for at least another month. The board will meet again on Aug. 19 when all seven members are expected to be present.

LYNDONVILLE – The Board of Education met Tuesday for its annual organizational meeting and didn’t a majority vote for the BOE leadership.

The board was tied, 3-3, in voting for a president and vice president. Without anyone getting at least four votes, the leadership reverts to the current office holders until a majority vote can be reached.

That means Jerod Thurber remains as president and Megan Bruning as vice president.

Board members said there isn’t a rift on the board despite the 3-3 votes on leadership.

Thurber would like to step back as president, citing increased responsibilities in his career. He will be president for at least another month. The board will next meet on Aug. 19 and is expected to have all seven members present. Vern Fonda was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting.

The board was split with three voting for Patrick Whipple and three for Joanne Suhr as president.

Joanne Suhr also was nominated to be board president. She is sitting between James Houseman and Megan Bruning who both backed her for president. Suhr said the board needs to be more transparent in making decisions.

Suhr is new to the board. Her husband Harold was a board member for about 20 years until his term ended on June 30. He didn’t seek re-election.

Mrs. Suhr is a retired Lyndonville teacher. She is active in the community having served on the Town of Yates Planning Board, the Town of Yates Bicentennial Committee and many committees and organizations within the school district.

She said the board needs to be more transparent and include the full board in its decision-making.

“We need more transparency with important decisions,” she told the board. “They’re not always talked about with all elected officials.”

Suhr said she would gather information and input from all members “for the best outcome for the schools, students and community.”

Suhr was backed for president by James Houseman, Megan Bruning and Suhr (voting for herself).

Dr. Patrick Whipple, who has been on the board for about a year, also garnered three votes for president – from George Avery, Jerod Thurber and Whipple (voting for himself).

Whipple works as the director of professional learning services for the Genesee Valley BOCES.

He said the Lyndonville district needs to balance education and taxpayers in its push to offer the best possible outcomes for students.

The board also was 3-3 with vice president. Megan Bruning was in the role the past year and she will stay for at least another month. She was backed for VP again by Suhr, Houseman and herself.

She said she enjoyed the past year as vice president, including the more in-depth role with the search for a new district superintendent.

George Avery also received three votes for VP – from Thurber, Whipple and himself. Avery said he would strive to build a great team in the district, working with the board to develop teamwork and goals.