Mike Danneker, Keith Hamilton say goodbye to board positions

Two Bellefonte Area school board members decided not to run for election this year, but were honored Nov. 21 for their longtime service to the district at a school board meeting at Bellefonte Area Middle School.

Board Vice President Mike Danneker ends a four-year term at the end of the year, and board member Keith Hamilton served on the board for nine years, including two years as board president.

“I want to say I’m going to miss both Keith and Mike,” board President Rodney Musser said. “Keith got on the board just before I left the board and has been a great asset to the community. Mike and I had never met prior to being on the board … and it’s been a really good working relationship.”

Hamilton called board member Bob Lumley-Sapanski and former board member George Stone his mentors, and added that though he’s stepping down as board member, he will still be involved in committees that help oversee school projects.

“I just want to thank the entire school district,” he said. “I wish there was a course on public education 101 that parents and the community can take. Until I got involved with the board I never knew the internal mechanism of the board. There is so much to learn and appreciate, and I think our best years are yet to come.”

Board members elected to fill the two open seats were Kristen Bruckner and Jeff Steiner.

*By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD