A retired teacher has been appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Lake Orion School Board.
Bill Walters, who lives in the Village of Lake Orion, was selected by the board after an interview process on Aug. 18.
Eleven people had submitted applications to replace Lori Penman. She resigned officially Aug. 1 because she was moving out of the school district.
Besides Walters, John McKenna, Terry Lang and Lisa Sokol were chosen by school board members on Aug. 11 to be interviewed for 15 minutes each.
Walters recently retired from Rochester Community Schools where he worked as an instrumental music teacher and band director.
A 29 year resident of the village, Walters and his wife have two sons, both graduates of Lake Orion High School.
According to Walters, his appointment will give him an opportunity to do community service.
‘I want to serve because I think I can make a difference. I have a good knowledge base and a strong interest, he added.
He described the current board as a family group. ‘They’re focused on making our schools the best they can be,? he added.
Walters said he had been considering running for a seat on the school board. He just happened to be at the July school board meeting when Penman told the board she was resigning.
‘I think it was fate. That’s when I heard they were asking for volunteers to fill Penman’s vacant seat,? he added.
Per state law and board policy, Walters will be on the board until the next regular school election. At that time the balance of the term (one year) will be up for election.
Walters said he’ll be a candidate in that election.