Bonfield Tapped For School Board Chair

Two former teachers elected to the school board in 2006 will sit on the top two seats on the board this year.

The five-member board voted Tuesday night to have Dianne Bonfield serve as chairwoman. John Sweeney will serve as vice chairman.

Board member Pat Fagan nominated Bonfield, who was selected on a 3 to 2 vote. Outgoing chairwoman Sandra Nicholson had minutes before nominated Sweeney for the position but was the only board member to vote for him.

Fagan then nominated Sweeney.

Bonfield said she was "honored" by the selection.

The meeting also marked the first for new school board member James Yant, who said he looked forward to working with his fellow board members to "put the students first."

In other action, the board approved:

• An agreement with St. Leo University in Dade City to create a leadership program to recruit and educate aspiring principals.

A contract with the law firm Kunkel Miller & Hament for special counsel services in labor and employment issues. The district will pay the firm $185 per hour.