Leslee Boyd, chairwoman of the South Washington County school board, announced at a board meeting last month that she was resigning her seat effective Dec. 31.

She said that her husband accepted a new job that would result in the family moving to Oklahoma.

Boyd was elected in 2007 after having served several years on district committees and has led the school board for three years.

In a district news release that followed the Oct. 25 announcement, she described her board tenure as a "unique opportunity to serve the community and work with a talented staff toward a common goal of improving education for children."

Last year, Boyd was among a majority of board members who voted, 5 to 2, not to renew the contract of then-Superintendent Mark Porter. Porter since has been succeeded by Keith Jacobus.

Boyd was quoted in the news release as saying she believed the district has an "excellent foundation" in place and that she is confident the district would reach higher levels of excellence under the new superintendent's leadership.

According to board policy and state statute, board members now must appoint someone to fill Boyd's seat until the next election, which is Nov. 5, 2013. Applications are being accepted until 4 p.m. on Nov. 26 and must include a resume and a letter of intent, the district said.

The letter should explain why the applicant wants to serve on the board, what strengths the person believes he or she would bring to the body, and what the applicant believes are the three most pressing issues facing the district. In addition, the applicant must outline in the letter his or her professional and volunteer activities within the district and broader community.

Applications are to be made to the attention of Mary Amidon at the District Service Center, 7362 East Point Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove, 55016.

After interviews that have yet to be scheduled, the board is expected to make the appointment at its Dec. 20 meeting.

MAHTOMEDI

High school students salute area veteransMahtomedi High School students and faculty members will play host to a panel of veterans during a community event Nov. 12 commemorating Veterans Day.

The veterans will speak about their wartime experiences during a discussion moderated by retired Brig. Gen. Kevin Gerdes of the Minnesota Army National Guard. The participants will include World War II and Iraq war veterans, a school district news release said.

The event will begin with a light breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the high school commons area, followed by the program at 8 a.m. in the Chautauqua Fine Arts Center, 8000 N. 75th St.

The event is free, but those who plan to attend are asked to register online at www.mahtomedicomed.com.

WOODBURY

Superintendent's talk available for viewingThe South Washington County district has made a web stream available of Superintendent Keith Jacobus' recent appearance at East Ridge High School in Woodbury.

The Oct. 24 visit was the last of three community conversations that the superintendent hosted at district schools in October. Jacobus, who took over this fall after serving most recently as assistant superintendent in Osseo, spoke about student achievement and other topics.

To view the hour-long video, including questions from attendees, go to www.startribune.com/a1852.

ANTHONY LONETREE