LAND O'LAKES — Leadership of the Pasco School Board changed hands on Tuesday, with one expected outcome and one surprise.
Steve Luikart, newly sworn to a second term serving northwest Pasco, won the unanimous support of his colleagues to serve as chairman. He had been vice chairman the past year, and board tradition has been to pass the gavel to the vice chairperson, with only a few exceptions.
The script veered, though, when it came time to select the vice chairperson. Usually, the board rotates the position, and Allen Altman was due, having been out of the leadership since 2011.
But when nominated, Altman declined, saying he thought it more appropriate to have Joanne Hurley in the role one more time before she leaves the board in 2016. Hurley's second term ends in two years, and she acknowledged she would not seek re-election to her central Pasco seat.
Two terms is enough to accomplish goals, Hurley explained, adding that she'll be 72 at the time and more than ready to do something new.
The rest of the board quickly got behind Altman, who has three more years to sit as chairman or vice chairman, and the members unanimously named Hurley to the largely ceremonial position.
The board also made clear its intent to adopt a resolution urging the state to slow its testing and accountability system, but did not have the language completed to take formal action.