![[Pictured]: Coach Baldwin, Aiden Ripley, Robert Sundling, Liam Evans, Marcus Rodriguez, Jonathan Whitney, Charlie Yaley, Mr. Karpus, Coach Sterzenaker Lucca Peterson, Tyler Karpus, Zachary Sundling, Coach Simonson.
BACK ROW: Jarhett Whitney, Coach Wood, Brody Peters, Luke Larson, Bryce Rathmel, Titan Calise, Walker Crook](https://beyondthecave.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_0027.jpeg)
On Oct. 11, Chantal Fowler was sworn into the Summerville High School board, filling the SUHSD Board vacancy.
Former Board member Andrea Ransom, interviewed previously by Beyond The Cave in an Oct. 10 article, resigned from her position as a Board Trustee on Sept 6, leaving an empty spot for a provisional appointment.
There were four applicants who applied for the position and the Board of Trustees held an interview panel during the Oct. 11 regular board meeting. These applicants were Chip Waters, Chantal Fowler, Karen Robertson, and Darren Dailey.
After the interview process and a brief deliberation, Dennis Spisak motioned and Randy Richter seconded to appoint Chantal Fowler to the governing board. Dennis Spisak and Randy Richter were in favor and David Atkins and Jake Hurst abstained; the motion did not pass.
Board President Mr. Akins abstained from voting and continued that abstention for the other applicants as well.
According to the public board meeting notes from Oct. 11, the rest of the voting went as follows:
“Jake Hurst motioned and Dennis Spisak seconded to appoint Chip Waters to the governing board. Jake Hurst and Dennis Spisak were in favor; David Atkins and Randy Richter abstained; the motion did not pass. Randy Richter motioned and Jake Hurst seconded to appoint Karen Robertson to the governing board. Jake Hurst and Randy Richter were in favor, David Atkins and Dennis Spisak abstained; the motion did not pass. Randy Richter motioned and Dennis Spisak seconded to appoint Chantal Fowler to the governing board. Jake Hurst, Randy Richter, and Dennis Spisak were in favor; David Atkins abstained; the motion passed 3-0-1.”
Mr. Akins explained his reasoning in abstaining, citing the fact that he did not want to sway any other members to vote a certain way and wanted to remain objective.
“There are three other individual personalities and voices, and by my abstaining, I didn’t want to try to persuade either way. I wanted to make sure that everyone got a fair level of playing field. So by me giving an abstention on Chantal [Mrs. Fowler] initially was showing that I was going to ‘tap the breaks’ really quick and to make sure that everyone gets a fair shot.”
— Mr. Atkins, SUHSD Board President
Mr. Atkins voiced his opinion on Summerville’s new board member and what he believes the future board will be like with Board Member Fowler.
“I have a really, really good feeling that she is going to bring a high quality from parental experience, but also previous board experience,” stated Mr. Atkins.
Beyond The Cave interviewed Mrs. Fowler to better understand her experience and involvement that she will bring to the board.
Fowler has been living in Tuolumne county since 2003, with her husband and her six children.
“I currently have three students who are attending Summerville High; two daughters who have graduated in recent years, and one son who is still in elementary school, but will attend Summerville in the future.”
Fowler has a passion for working with children and families in her community and sees choosing to be part of the board as an effective way to serve the community in which she lives.
Fowler set her sights on the Summerville High School Board and she voiced that thus far it has been an easy transition.
“So far my experience has been great. The other board members, administration, and faculty have all been very welcoming and supportive. I now have two board meetings under my belt and I am learning how the board works for the high school,” stated Mrs. Fowler.
Beyond having students attending SHS, Mrs. Fowler is also already experienced with working with children and in schooling systems.
“Over the years, I have served the community in a variety of ways. I have worked with Children and Families through volunteer programs, Head Start, and currently, as a secretary at Twain Harte School. I also bring experience on social emotional development and trauma informed care.”
— Mrs. Fowler, SUHSD Board Trustee
“Over the years, I have served the community in a variety of ways. I have worked with Children and Families through volunteer programs, Head Start, and currently, as a secretary at Twain Harte School. I also bring experience on social emotional development and trauma informed care,” said Mrs. Fowler.
Mrs. Fowler is looking forward to using her previous experience to learn and grow within this new position serving on the SUHSD board.
Summerville High School’s teachers, students, and board members are all looking forward to what Mrs. Fowler can accomplish during her term.
