Rochester School Board 
Looks to Fill Vacancy Left by Talbert’s Resignation
(Rochester Community School District, June 21, 2017)
ROCHESTER, MI. – The Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District is actively seeking to fill a vacant position following the resignation of Secretary Beth Talbert. All eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.
The position of secretary will be filled by an existing board member, and the position of trustee will be available for an eligible candidate to apply. The Board will follow the Revised School Code and Michigan Election Law in appointing an eligible candidate to fill the trustee 
position. The term for the trustee appointment is from July 17, 2017 to December 31, 2018.
For consideration as a candidate, the application, along with a resume, must be received by the President of the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Postmark dates will not be considered. Methods of return include any of the following:
Mail: Dr. Sandra Fiaschetti, President, Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District, 501 West University Drive, Rochester, MI 48307.
Fax: Rochester Community School District, Attn: Dr. Sandra Fiaschetti, President, Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District, Fax number: 248-726-3105
Email: Dr. Sandra Fiaschetti at sfiaschetti@rochester.k12.mi.us.
Drop off: The Rochester Community School District Administration Building, 501 West University Drive, Rochester, MI 48307, Attn: Dr. Sandra Fiaschetti, President, Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District. Please note that the Administration Building will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and July 4, due to the Federal holiday.
General duties and responsibilities of a Board member include: coordinating initiatives with the superintendent of schools; establishing policy for the district; adopting the budget and aligning funding priorities with district goals; determining school facility needs; and, responding to community ideas.
Commitments include: attending and preparing for the Monday Board of Education meetings and closed sessions; participating in committee assignments which consist of approximately two meetings per month; participating in school assignments which average approximately six meetings per year; participating in liaison assignments which average one per month; and, joining in ceremonial duties, to include commencements and honors events.
Additional district information and application information is available on the district website at www.rochester.k12.mi.us.
The timeline is as follows:
| DATE | DAY | TIME | OCCURRENCE |
| June 21 | Wednesday | Vacancy announced to the community | |
| July 5 | Wednesday | 12:00 p.m. | Deadline for receipt of applications |
| July 10 | Monday | 6:00-6:45 p.m. | Open house to meet the candidates |
| 7:00 p.m. | Candidate interviews | ||
| July 17 | Monday | 7:00 p.m. | Final candidate interviews |
| By end of meeting | The appointee takes Oath of Office. His/her term begins immediately. |
Talbert’s service spans nearly a decade
Beth Talbert announced her intent to resign from her position at the June 19 Board of Education meeting. Talbert has served as a member of the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District for the past ten consecutive years where she held officer positions at multiple junctures.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent our community. I count this as one of the best decades of my life, but I’m ready to move onto the next phase,” said Talbert. After citing several reasons for her decision, Talbert noted, “I have a grandson who has absolutely stolen my heart, and I’d like some time to spend with him, because you can’t start reading to a child too soon.”
Talbert served as part of the team who received the 2011 Michigan Association of School Boards Visionary Leadership Award, which recognizes boards of education/ governance teams for their vision, leadership and success in raising student achievement.
“One of the things that I believe in so strongly is the value of public education. I have such 
great confidence in the people who serve our district. We have arguably the best superintendent, administrative staff, and teaching staff in the state of Michigan. We also have Board members who exhibit such a high degree of integrity and purity of heart to do what’s right for our students.”
Talbert expressed her joy in being able to approve a balanced budget for the district as one of her final duties. She also conveyed her enthusiasm about the district’s bond projects which will enhance the technology and infrastructure for all students within the district.
“It has been my honor to have been able to work with Beth Talbert over the past few years. We thank her for her leadership, integrity, sincerity, and kind heart. She has truly made a difference in our community,” said Superintendent Robert Shaner, Ph.D.
“The school district is all the better because of her service,” said Treasurer Mike Zabat.
