The Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors at tonight's meeting elected the following new officers for the 2012 calendar year:

Dir. Michael DeBell - President
Dir. Kay Smith-Blum - Vice President

Dir. Betty Patu - Member at Large

The votes were all unanimous, 7-0.
As Board President, DeBell will preside at all Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings and sign all papers and documents as required by law or as authorized by the action of the Board. DeBell will also serve as the Board spokesperson.

Smith-Blum, the newly-elected Vice President, will serve on the Executive Committee and preside at Board meetings in DeBell's absence.

As Member-at-Large, Patu shall serve on the Executive Committee with the President and Vice President and shall preside at Board meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President.

The officers are elected for one-year terms and serve as the Executive Committee of the Board. The Executive Committee provides:

·         Leadership for the Board in the areas of government relations with national, state and local agencies

·         Coordination of the Superintendent evaluation

·         Board training

·         Development of the Board's annual work plans, agendas and schedules

·         A forum as the sounding board for the Superintendent and Cabinet

The new officers assumed their duties immediately upon election. School Board committee appointments will be announced by mid-January.

More information on Board leadership, activities and upcoming events can be found online here  or call the School Board Office at (206) 252-0041.