CAMPBELL School board member resigns

The board will have four new members by January.
By PAUL WHEATLEY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CAMPBELL -- Ted Cougras, who is moving to another town, resigned Monday from the board of education.
In a letter to the board, Cougras, director of finance and business with Salem Public Schools, said he and his family are moving to Salem to cut down on his commute time so he can spend more time with his family.
"It was a tough decision that my wife and I made. I've spent my whole life in Campbell," said Cougras, who was born and raised in the city and served as a board member for about two years.
Cougras said he notified the board about his pending move about six months ago.
Will be missed: "I hate to lose Ted," said Superintendent James Ciccolelli. "I think he was a very level-headed, knowledgeable school board member."
He said the board will miss Cougras' understanding of school finance issues.
The board has until Dec. 20 to replace Cougras with any nominated city resident. It must wait 10 days before appointing someone.
Judge Timothy Maloney of Mahoning County Probate Court would choose a replacement for Cougras if board members cannot reach a decision.
Ciccolelli said the board went through a similar situation when Father George Pappas resigned from the board about five years ago to move to Florida. Current board President Dr. Walter Rusnak, whose term ends in January, was named Pappas' replacement at that time.
New members: With Cougras' resignation, and the election of three new board members Nov. 6, four out of the five board members will be new. This leaves Father Daniel Rohan as the remaining veteran.
Still, Ciccolelli said he's confident the board will pick up where it left off before the election.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 27 in the high school library.
wheatley@vindy.com