Camas School Board members resign, citing personal reasons

Two members of the Camas School Board unexpectedly resigned this week, citing personal reasons for their departures.

Camas School District Board President Julie Rotz and Vice President Casey O’Dell announced their resignations at the School Board’s regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 12.

Rotz, who had served on the board for eight years, said her family is moving to Saint Johns, Florida this week, where her husband has accepted a new job.

O’Dell had been a member of the school board for 17 years, but said he was finding it challenging to devote enough time and attention to the board since taking a new job as the Port of Vancouver’s director of facilities in October of 2017.

Both resigning board members said they appreciated having the chance to help guide the school district.

“During this time, it has been a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to work alongside my fellow board members in support of such an outstanding team of administrators, staff and teachers who make up our district,” Rotz said. “I admire their dedication to bringing excellence in education to all our students.”

O’Dell, who has lived and worked in Camas his entire life, said the decision to resign was very hard for him.

“I’m going to miss all the talented people in the district who work so hard to help our students succeed,” O’Dell said. “I’ll also miss attending graduation ceremonies at Camas High School and Hayes Freedom High School. Experiencing these culminating events as a board member is incredibly rewarding.”

CSD Superintendent Jeff Snell said the resignations were a loss for the district.

“A great deal of knowledge and history is leaving us and both Julie and Casey will be truly missed,” Snell said Monday night. “Julie is highly organized and detail-oriented and brings an analytical lens to the board. A lifelong resident of Camas, Casey helps us honor our history and traditions in the face of an ever-changing educational landscape.”

The remaining school board named Doug Quinn as the new board president and Connie Hennessey as the new vice president of the board on Monday night.

The school board is now seeking applicants to fill the vacancies left by O’Dell and Rotz.

The appointees will fill the District 1 and District 5 positions through the 2018 election cycle, when voters will select new board members to serve the remaining three years of Rotz’ and O’Dell’s terms.

For more information, call 360-833-5412, or visit www.camas.wednet.edu/news/board-application-process-director-districts-ii/.