The Centralia School District Board of Directors called a special meeting on June 18 to address the sudden resignation of a board member and begin the process of finding a replacement.
Tim Browning, president of the school board, called the short special meeting to order Wednesday and immediately announced the resignation of Martiza Bravo from her position on the Centralia School District Board of Directors while lamenting the departure.
According to the district, Bravo resigned via email and without an official statement or reason for the decision.
“We’re here for a special reason,” Browning said. “Officially to acknowledge the resignation of Maritza Bravo from the school board. We’re sorry to see that she has to make the decision, but we certainly appreciate all the time that she spent with us.”
Before moving on, board members shared their thoughts and expressed disappointment about her departure but remained optimistic about her continued involvement in the community.
“I just wanted to say she will be missed and that it was fun to get to know her,” Board Director Deb Parnham said. “I’d call her my friend, and I wish her all the best and I will see her around.”
Other board members shared similar sentiments of appreciation for Bravo’s contribution to the board and hoped for her continued involvement, especially in wrestling, which she seems to have a particular passion for.
Bravo first started on the Centralia School Board in 2022 when she was appointed to the position before running unopposed in the 2023 election cycle and starting her first full four-year term in 2024. She was appointed to the position after the original board member, Beverly Clark, and her appointed replacement, Wilfredo Henriquez Martinez, had both resigned from the position.
Bravo's resignation will make her the third member to resign from the seat since 2021.
After announcing the resignation, board members moved on to filling the vacant seat. The position was posted for applicants on Friday, June 20, and remains open until Monday, July 7, at 4:30 p.m.
To be eligible for the position, applicants must be a registered voter and live within the boundaries of the Centralia School District.
To apply, applicants must send a letter of interest and resume to the superintendent Executive Assistant Brittany Kindell via email to bkindell@centralia.wednet.edu or via mail addressed to 2320 Borst Ave., Centralia.
According to a schedule provided by the district and posted on Facebook last week, the Centralia School District Board of Directors will conduct interviews with eligible candidates on July 18 before announcing their chosen appointee at the board's regularly scheduled meeting the following week on Thursday, July 24, at 5 p.m. The new candidate will be sworn in at a special board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, at 8 a.m.
In the posting for the vacancy, the district outlines the expectations and responsibilities of board members. Board members are expected to attend study sessions and business meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month starting at 5 p.m. They also attend board retreats, special meetings and executive sessions, which are announced beforehand but not on a set schedule. Board members also meet monthly one-on-one with Superintendent Dr. Lisa Grant.
“To build trust, foster relationships and celebrate student success, board members are present at school, district and community events,” reads the posting. “As visible leaders, board members attend school functions throughout the year, including district graduation ceremonies. This is a unique opportunity to serve, lead and advocate for students, staff and families of our district.”
