EVERETT — Ted Wenta has stepped down from his role as president of the Everett School Board.
Wenta said in a letter to Superintendent Gary Cohn and his fellow board members that he had been battling cancer. He intends to fill out his elected term, which runs through early 2019. Everett is one of few school boards in the state with six-year terms.
“The district clearly deserves consistent and intentional leadership, especially in the role of board president,” Wenta said. “At this time, given my health situation I’ve been unable to do that.”
Wenta has served as president for a year and a half. He was elected in 2013 to replace retiring board member Ed Petersen. He works at the YMCA of Snohomish County as vice president of operations and has been active in the community for about 30 years.
“I consider myself lucky I’m able to do the things I do, and I do enjoy working on the board,” Wenta said.
“I think we’re all pulling for Ted to make a full recovery,” said Cohn, who said he’d met with Wenta recently to catch up on board business. “I’m delighted he’s feeling better and will be back at the regular board meetings.”
Board vice president Caroline Mason has been acting as president during Wenta’s absence. “Our hope is that his health continues to be in a good place and he can continue to join us in the meetings,” she said.
An election for board president is scheduled for the next regular meeting May 9, Mason said.
Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.
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