USD 415 Superintendent Dr. Penny Hargrove( right) presents a plaque to Denise Elffner ( left) in recognition of her 12 years of service on the Board on Education.

(KNZA)--A longtime Hiawatha Board of Education member has resigned. 

The Board Monday evening accepted the resignation of Denise Elffner, with regrets, effective July 31st.

Elffner held position 6 on the Board, consisting of the area of Wards 1 and 2 of the city of Hiawatha and all the area of Hiawatha Township north of 240th Street.

The Board approved publishing a notice of the vacancy.

The Board will have to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Elffner’s  term, which expires in January 2018.  

The position is up for election in November and Keith Erdley is running unopposed for election to a 4-year term, beginning in January.  

Those interested in filling the unexpired term are asked to contact Board Clerk Leslie Grimm.  The Board plans to interview candidates at their July 10th meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Penny Hargrove presented a plaque to Elffner in recognition of her 12 years of service on the Board.

In other action, Board President Dr. Pete Rosa presented a certificate of recognition to high school counseling assistant Kristene Petersen who was nominated by a district patron for her exceptional work.

As part of the consent agenda, the Board accepted the retirement resignation of District Librarian Joyce Kesler, effective at the end of next school year.

The Board also approved a mentoring contract with the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute for new superintendent Lonnie Moser.    Former USD 415 superintendent John Severin will serve as Moser’s mentor for a year.  He will be paid $1,450.   

Moser, who officially begins work July 1st, was on hand to observe the meeting.