The Hopkins Board of Education bid adieu to three of its members who are retiring, one of whom lamented about lack of candidates in the 2020 election.

John Myers, who is stepping down after 10 years, some as president, said, “My only disappointment is that I don’t understand, with all the great people we have here, we have vacancies on the board.”

He was talking about the fact three seats became available for the November election, but only two newcomers filed. The board has asked for applications for the open seat and the deadline was Dec. 9.

Incumbent Jessica Johnston and newcomer Andrea Buist both ran unopposed. Incumbents Ben Brenner, Jay Gibson and John Myers chose not to seek another four-year term. Brenner and Gibson both served for six years.

Superintendent Gary Wood told the retiring board members, “Every one of you has brought something to the table, and I’ve needed that.”

In other business Monday evening, the board:

• Reconfirmed the extended learning plan during the Covid pandemic, beginning Jan. 4. The high school will be shut down until then, when the district will implement the hybrid plan in which one group of students attends Mondays and Thursday, the other Tuesdays and Fridays, and Wednesday is an all-virtual instruction day for all.
• Was told by Wood that the non-homestead levy of 18 mills will be up for renewal at the end of next year, so it’s important to plan for it and not take it for granted.

“We can’t take it for granted because Wayland passed it by only 10 votes (last August),” the superintendent said.

• Went into closed session to evaluate the job performance of Wood and declared, “The board appreciates the diligence of the superintendent and he is highly effective.”