Vol. 41, No. 49
July 19 , 2007
CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
New Officers Lead State Board of Education
The State Board of Education has new officers. They presided at the board’s meeting today in Jefferson City.
Russell V. Thompson, Columbia, is the new president of the board. He has been vice president for the past two years, and he succeeds Peter Herschend, Branson, as president.
David Liechti, St. Joseph, has been elected vice president. Mr. Liechti has been a member of the board since 2003. This is his first term as an officer. He is self-employed accountant and a former member of the St. Joseph Board of Education.
Dr. Thompson has been a member of the State Board of Education since November 1994. He also served as president of the board from 2000-2002. He is a professional educator who served nearly 20 years as superintendent of the Columbia Public Schools, until his retirement in 1994.
The State Board of Education has eight members who serve staggered eight-year terms. Under the state constitution, the board has general authority to govern Missouri’s public school system. Members of the board are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. No more than four members may belong to the same political party.
Thompson and Liechti were formally elected at the board’s May meeting. They assumed their new offices at the end of the June meeting.