The Paton-Churdan school board at its Nov. 14 meeting honored Steve Burrell and thanked him for 15 years of service on the board. Burrell resigned from the board in September. Eric Happe was appointed to fill the vacancy.
At the meeting superintendent Kreg Lensch read a letter he had received from former superintendent Leonard Griffin commending Burrell. Burrell was first elected to the board in 2001; Griffin was superintendent from 2003 to 2013. Burrell was board president many of those years.
Griffin wrote that those years “were some of the most trying years in the history of Paton-Churdan” and called for difficult decisions. “His ability to effectively coordinate the board of education helped transition the district from a very endangered and shrinking status to the status of a vibrant school district during those years,” Griffin continued. “It was never most about remaining an independent district, but it was about giving kids the best school possible under Mr Burrell’s leadership.”
Lensch thanked Burrell for making his transition into the superintendent position an easy one, and said he marveled at the time Burrell spent on district business even after his children had graduated.
Burrell was presented with a plaque.
Burrell’s term expires in 2019. The board appointed Eric Happe of Paton to fill the vacancy created by his resignation. Happe is a 2002 Paton-Churdan graduate and works at United Bank in Churdan. He had a daughter in kindergarten and a 3-year-old daughter.
Happe will fill the position until the regular school election in 2017. At that time, voters will elect someone to complete the term (to 2019).
Burrell has also served on the Paton city council during his tenure on the P-C school board. He is currently the mayor of Paton. He said there are many things he hopes to do as mayor, but he added, “I’m at your disposal if you need me for anything.”
