NEWARK – Jonathan Cook was selected this week to replace Bob Rothermel as president of the Worcester County Board of Education.
The school board elected Cook president during its annual selection of officers after Rothermel announced his intention to relinquish the post. Longtime school board member Doug Dryden was chosen to serve as vice president.
Cook was quick to thank Rothermel for the four years he spent as president and the three years he spent as vice president before that.
“Bob you have truly been a good example for a younger generation,” he said. “Thank you for your service.”
He added that Rothermel had been a great leader who had served as a good example for everyone around him.
Rothermel said he’d found it rewarding to work with his fellow school board members through the years as well as with the school system staff.
“They will certainly continue to do the great job they always do however we move forward,” Rothermel said. “I can tell you from having been vice president three years and with four years as president this school system’s in great hands and will continue to be in great hands. It’s the people that make the difference.”
He said everyone worked in concert to support the education of Worcester County’s children.
“Without those children there is no future,” he said. “That’s what I believe we’ve been able to do in this system is give a great future to our children. Hopefully someday they’ll come back and make this an even better county.”
Cook also took the time to thank Sara Thompson, who served as vice president until this week’s election. He said the Berlin resident deserved particular recognition as she was the longest sitting school board member in the state of Maryland.
“I think it’s just a treasure for Worcester County that we’ve had Sara in various positions here,” he said, adding that he was happy she was continuing to serve area students on the board. “We look forward to your continued service.”
Cook, who serves as vice president of operations for Beebe Medical Group, has represented District 5 residents on the school board since 2005. Dryden, who works in the tech services department for Gable Signs and Graphics, has represented District 1 since 2007.