Tam District Board Appoints Michael Futterman as Trustee

Tamalpais Union High School District Board President Bob Walter announced the appointment of Michael Futterman to the five person Board of Trustees.  Mr. Futterman has been appointed to serve on the Board until the next regularly scheduled school board election, which will be in November 2015.  He fills the recent vacancy created by Sheri Mowbray’s resignation. 

 

“We were very fortunate to have nine outstanding candidates apply to fill the vacant seat on the Tam Board.  Any of them would have done an admirable job, but Michael’s prior governance experience and his particular skills set him apart,” Mr. Walter said.  “We look forward to working with him to ensure that every student in the Tam District is given access to the highest quality education.”

 

Overview of the Provisional Appointment Process

 

On Tuesday, July 8, the Tamalpais Union High School District Board of Trustees held a special meeting in open session to make a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy created by Sheri Mowbray’s resignation on June 23, 2014. 

 

To minimize the time the District would be without a full slate of trustees and the cost to the District of a special election, the TUHSD Board determined that the vacancy would be filled by provisional appointment.  Following a call for trustee candidates, the board received nine applications from interested and qualified community members. The Board interviewed each candidate and then, after deliberation, unanimously voted to welcome Mr. Futterman to the governance team.  With this provisional appointment, Mr. Futterman is slated to serve until the next regularly scheduled board election in November 2015.  Ms. Mowbray’s full term would have extended until November 2017. 

 

In his written application, Mr. Futterman shared his reasons and interests in serving on the school board: 

 

“Providing kids and families with a high-quality public education is a community’s most important public service job.  In so many ways our schools are the glue that binds the community.  Recognizing the great work that teachers and school administrators do for our kids, service as a board member is an important way for someone who is not a professional educator to contribute to the community.  I very much enjoyed my prior service as a board member, and was fortunate to work with a group of high quality and committed fellow trustees.  I look forward to building on that experience and making additional contributions to the Tam District.”

 

During the deliberation process, current Board members shared what they felt were essential characteristics in a trustee at this time, including a primary focus on student learning and achievement, the ability to work as a member of a team, and an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Board. 

 

The current Board also expressed their gratitude to all applicants who stepped up in a short time frame to volunteer to serve their community.  Board President Bob Walter said, “High quality schools are made possible by a high level of community support.  We are truly impressed with the number and quality of our applicants for the trustee vacancy.” 

 

Mr. Futterman is an attorney who lives in Larkspur with his family.  His three children are graduates of Redwood High School, and he served on the Board of Trustees of the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District from 2002 through 2007.

 

After his appointment, Mr. Futterman said, “I am honored to have been selected as a trustee of the Tamalpais Union High School District. I look forward to serving on behalf of all our students and families.”