Ex-board president resigns after number of absences
Joseph Starkloff
Chancellor Rufus Glasper announced the resignation of former governing board president Colleen Clark during the August 23 board meeting. Clark’s tenor included an external review of the district’s effectiveness, which led to the implementation of “21st Century Maricopa,” and a misdemeanor DUI conviction that received public attention.
Glasper detailed Clark’s reasons for resigning during the chancellor’s report.
“In her message to us, Ms. Clark cited her need to maintain full employment in a challenge job market. She said she could no longer commit the time that her governing board position required.”
Glasper stated that he would be working with Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools, Donald Covey, to determine the exact measures to take in replacing Clark.
He said that Covey will declare the spot vacant, which will then give candidates the opportunity to apply. A committee of district employees, which will include Glasper, will be assembled to filter through the applicants. Covey will make the final decision on Clark’s replacement.
Randolph Lumm, president of the governing board, stated his approval of Clark.
“I thought she did an outstanding job,” Lumm said. “(She was) strong in her desire to make change, and keep cost down.”
He supported how Clark handled the public attention of her DUI.
“It was very embarrassing for her, and her being a strong Christian, thought she needed to apologize to the public. I thought that took a lot of courage,” Lumm said.
Clark did not respond to attempts to contact her.
