Port Townsend School Board member to resign

Published 12:01 am Sunday, January 12, 2014

PORT TOWNSEND — Bill LeMaster will present his resignation from the School Board on Monday.

The Port Townsend School Board will discuss the next steps to be taken when it meets at 6 p.m. in the Gael Stuart Building, 1610 Blaine St.

LaMaster, 65, said he was resigning for personal reasons. He was midway through a four-year term, having been elected in November 2011.

“We were surprised,” said board member Anne Burkart. “This was not an anticipated resignation. We didn’t have a succession plan in mind.”

The board is expected Monday to schedule an application period for candidates to serve the remainder of LeMaster’s term.

The next election for the District 3 seat is November 2015.

“We’re sorry to see Bill go,” said Burkart, who described him as a “very thoughtful board member.”

He has served on financial and facilities committees, Burkart said.

“He asks insightful questions and keeps on top of the finances,” she said.

“He’s a good team player concerned that we are on the right track.”

LeMaster was unopposed in 2011. He said then he had decided to sit the race out but changed his mind when no other candidates emerged for the seat.

He is co-owner with Lynn Hamlin-LeMaster of Lehani’s Deli & Coffee at 221 Taylor St.

He serves on EDC Team Jefferson.