SPS board elects new officers

Courtesy Springfield Public Schools

Denise Fredrick is voted in as board president.

Courtesy Springfield Public Schools

Dr. Maryam Mohammadkhani is appointed vice president with a 5-2 vote.

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SPS board members

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education now comprises:
• Denise Fredrick, president;
• Maryam Mohammadkhani, vice president;
• Kelly Bryne;
• Scott Crise;
• Danielle Kincaid;
• Steve Makoski; and
• Shurita Thomas-Tate.

A newly refreshed Springfield Public Schools Board of Education yesterday voted to install new officers.

Denise Fredrick secured unanimous approval to serve as board president, while Dr. Maryam Mohammadkhani received a 5-2 vote to make her vice president, said SPS spokesperson Teresa Bledsoe. Danielle Kincaid and Shurita Thomas-Tate voted against Mohammadkhani's appointment, Bledsoe said, noting Kincaid also was nominated for the vice president role.

Kelly Byrne and Steve Makoski, who were elected to the board last week and sworn in at yesterday's meeting, proposed Mohammadkhani as vice president, according to the video of the meeting posted by SPS.

Bledsoe said new board officers are elected annually. Fredrick, a board member since 2011, as president succeeds Alina Lehnert, who chose not to run for reelection. Mohammadkhani takes over as vice president for Fredrick.

During the meeting, board members bid farewell to Lehnert and to Charles Taylor, who lost his reelection bid.