Lisa Welker has resigned from the Hillsboro R-3 Board of Education.
She submitted a letter of resignation to the district on Oct. 28, saying she was leaving so her daughter, Jennifer Welker, an elementary teacher in the district, could pursue a promotion to an administrative job.
“I am no longer able to serve the district in this capacity (as a school board member) due to personal/family circumstances that relates to the district’s (nepotism) policy. I must step down to allow my daughter an opportunity to advance her career because my role of being her mother comes first,” Welker said on her resignation letter.
The board voted 5-0 at a Nov. 2 special meeting to accept the resignation, with Welker abstaining from the vote. Board member Jon Schuessler was absent from the meeting.
Welker, 60, was first elected to the board in 2015. Six months later board members made her the board president, a position she had held until her resignation.
She won re-election bids in 2018 and 2021.
Welker said she will continue to follow district affairs and contribute as she can, like serving on committees.
“I taught in the district for 30 years and was a graduate of the district as well,” she said. “It’s always been a part of my life.”
Welker said she appreciated her time as a board member.
“Absolutely, it was a positive experience,” she said. “I hope I’ve been able to make some contributions to the district. I’m leaving it in great hands. I know they will accomplish lots of great things in the future.”
Board member Beth Petry, who takes over as board president, complimented Welker on her work on the board.
“Her professional leadership will be missed, and she’ll be missed personally,” Petry said. “She’s not going anywhere. She’ll still be active in the community supporting future Hawks, staff members and the board as we move forward. We’re just going to miss her.”
Superintendent Jon Isaacson agreed.
“It’s a big loss for our school district,” Isaacson said. “Mrs. Welker has served our school district as an educator and school board member for a long time. She will be missed.”
Isaacson said the board decided to leave Welker’s seat vacant until the April 2023 election, when the remaining year of her three-year term will be placed on the ballot.
“The board felt it would be most appropriate to just continue on with six board members until the election to allow the community to fill the vacancy,” Isaacson said.
In addition to naming Petry as its new president at the special meeting, board members chose John Linhorst as its vice president and Rob Kruse as its treasurer.
Welker and her husband, Ken, live in Hillsboro and have two grown children.