"I will say that I'm excited and ecstatic about being here and also what it has meant to me and my family to live in this community," Johnson said ahead of his interview with the board. "I'm happy to be here."
Johnson is currently a senior adviser at Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work, a non-profit advocating for CTE in schools nationwide. He was one of four candidates selected by the board to be interviewed during the July 25 meeting that ended with his appointment. Each candidate—Ken Zornes, Kevin Johnson, Alicia Markum and Cassandra Hulsey—was presented with one interview question from each board member. The questioned ranged from the canidates' perceptions of board actions to what book they have recently read and might recommend to a student. A total of 25 people submitted applications to be considered for appointment to the position.
Absent Xiao and Place 2 Trustee Mary Bone, the lone "no" vote came from Place 7 Trustee Danielle Weston. She said her objection was based on the short term of the appointment and use of district resources in the process.
Board President and Place 3 Trustee Amber Feller stated that Johnson's appointment effectively concludes the term of former Trustee Xiao. Johnson will occupy the Place 1 seat until the November board election, when five of the seven total board seats will go to the voters. In his interview, Johnson said intends to seek election to the seat in the fall. The candidate who wins Place 1 in the board election will serve out the rest of that seat's term, which ends in 2024.
"I do plan on seeking [election]," Johnson said. "Only for the reason that I just mentioned, that we get back to serving our students, serving the community, transparency and definitely listening to and using data-driven decision making and evidence-based practices to ensure that we're preparing our students for the future."
