Joseph Huber takes an oath and is sworn is an a trustee of the Gladstone Area Schools Board of Education on Monday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — Joseph Huber, father of two, was appointed to the Gladstone Area Schools Board of Education this week following Joanna Wilbee-Amis’s resignation last month.

Usually, school board members are chosen through elections, but since a seat was opened when Wilbee-Amis resigned mid-term, it was up to the remaining members to conduct an interview at the following monthly meeting.

“I really hoped to see my term through, but I took a new job last year … and I don’t have the time that I think (a role on the school board) really requires,” Wilbee-Amis explained in January.

When Nathan Neumeier was appointed at the Jan. 19 meeting to succeed Wilbee-Amis as Vice President, she advised him that it was a position that required regular attendance and dedication.

The Board of Education meets regularly on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Gladstone Public Library. This month’s meeting kicked off with the introductions and short question-and-answer session with two candidates who had applied for the board opening: Huber and Brandon Langenfeld, both of whom live and work in the community and have children in Gladstone Area Schools.

At the school board meeting held at the Gladstone Public Library on Monday are, from right, Henry Knoch, Nathan Neumeier, Superintendent Jay Kulbertis, Jesse Seger, Phil DeMay, school staff and administration as well as applicants for a school board position and one additional parent. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

After the interviews but before the board chose one to join their ranks, Superintendent Jay Kulbertis explained the process and apologized for it being “clunky” and “awkward,” noting that both men were “excellent candidates” and it was a shame they were only able to choose one.

“I appreciate your time. I appreciate your interest,” Kulbertis said, addressing the two applicants. “We believe in what we do, and to our benefit, we’re going to have a great board member. So thank you both for your interest.”

Neumeier moved to appoint Huber, and the board voted him in. Langenfeld was encouraged to continue to seek involvement, perhaps by getting on the ballot when other terms expire.

Huber is a forester with Lyme Great Lakes Timberlands who has lived in the area for about 12 years and has children in the fourth and first grades at Gladstone.

“What sparked my interest (in applying for the board) is after earlier in the year, with the referendum failing, I told my wife … I got gotta find a way to get involved more,” Huber said. He added that he had been in communication with others involved in the school system and was planning on running in the next election when the flyer came out announcing a vacancy.

Huber is also treasurer on the board of directors for Trees for Tomorrow, a fully-accredited environmental education center based in Eagle River, Wis.

Now, as trustee on the board for Gladstone Area Schools, he will serve through the term that expires in 2026.

Also completing terms in 2026 are Neumeier, Andrew Sturdy and Henry Knoch. Steve Tackman, Jesse Seger and Phil DeMay round out the board; their terms expire in 2028.

In other business at Monday’s meeting:

– The board adopted a policy that will universally require high school seniors to complete either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application or an opt-out form. By adopting the resolution, the school will be able to receive over $90,000 in grant funds to give students “access to postsecondary planning opportunities” — that is, guidance on what routes are available to them after graduation.

The funds may support the hiring of a part-time career coach for the Gladstone High School, professional development for staff, transport for students to make visits to college campuses, and/or other items that provide tools and resources for career readiness.

– The board voted for Brad Baltensperger for the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Board of Directors.

– A frustrated local volunteer and parent, Dan Roberts, spoke up to say that it can be hard to reserve gym space, and that people who do so are not made aware of certain rules that are being enforced without being announced, resulting in expulsion from the facilities.

“We got kicked out of the gym for rules that we’ve never known,” Roberts said.

He also said that what people are seeing as a lack of inclusion — being denied access to the gym — will lead to the next referendum the school pursues getting voted down yet again.

Kulbertis said he would try to clear up the issues.

– The board went into a closed session for attorney-client privilege.