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Superintendent Ted Gardella has resigned to accept a similar position with Howell Public Schools in Livingston County, where he has already begun work. He attended his first board of education meeting in the district Monday. The Howell school board approved a three-year contract with Gardella on July 10.

Gardella, 48, will reportedly receive a $140,000 base salary in the first year. That figure is negotiable in the second and third year, with no promise of any pay increase.

Gardella also will receive an annual annuity and car expense worth $6,000 each, and a one-time $4,000 moving expense.

Included in the contract is a "just cause" clause, which allows the district to fire Gardella for good reason without incurring additional financial responsibility. It also includes a clause that says if the board fires him without cause, that the district must pay him one year's salary.

Gardella said by phone Thursday, "I want to thank the board for the opportunity to serve. The energy (savings program) is exciting. We took care of the high school boiler issue and the fact they'll get state-of-the-art equipment."

Further turning the district on edge, at Tuesday's regular meeting board members Leslie Aguirre and James Clark resigned. The two reportedly were the subject of a recent recall by a group called Save Our Schools for voting to renew Gardella's contract. Save Our Schools is headed by Bob Jennings, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday. It is not known why Aguirre and Clark were targeted.

"I think LakeVille will be hard pressed to replace Leslie and James on the board," Gardella said.

The announcement of the three resignations during the meeting was met with silence from the audience.

In Livingston County's largest school district, Gardella will be responsible for a district of 8,500 students and a $67 million budget. Gardella is leaving LakeVille making a salary and compensation package, including the recent $1,500 merit bonus he recently earned for reaching board goals, of $113,500. He served the LakeVille School district for two years. The district has a $15 million budget and about 1,830 students.

The LakeVille School District will hold interviews for two interim superintendent candidates at 7 p.m. July 22 in the LakeVille Middle School cafeteria.

Aguirre was first elected to the board in 1998 and is the former president.

"There comes a time when all the efforts (of being on the board) are nil," she said Wednesday and added people are going to disagree on decisions made by a public body. Aguirre added it's been a tough year as she has had her car keyed and dead animals have been thrown in her yard.

Clark served on the board since 2003. He did not return a County Press phone call as of presstime Thursday.

Jim Baier was recently elected to the LakeVille School Board and said since the organizational meeting the continuity of the board has greatly improved.

"At (Tuesday's) meeting there was an opportunity to witness making decisions. There's more individual thinking it seemed to me. There's more respect shown for opinions," Baier said and added Gardella's time in the district coincided with the district's unrest of late.

Board president Chad Carriero said the district is looking ahead to the future despite the resignations.

"Ted has a brand new opportunity and we wish him the best. We have a few names we'll be interviewing. We got along well with Leslie and James and I wish them all the best," Carriero said. "I think our future is similar with other school districts in the state. Others are having to make similar (financial) decisions. We'll approach this as a new start."

The LakeVille Community Schools is seeking applicants for two (2) each, one-year board terms due to the resignations of Aguirre and Clark. Applicants must live within the district, be at least 18 years of age, a registered voter and a United States citizen. The applicants may not be current district employees. A letter of interest stating why the candidate wants to serve on the board and what he or she can offer the district and community along with a one-page personal and professional resume needs to be submitted by noon July 24 to Cindi Lada, Superintendent's Office, 8254 Gale Road, Otisville, MI 48463.

Board interviews will be held on July 29 starting at 6 p.m. in the LakeVille Middle School library. For further election requirement questions, contact Genesee County Elections at (810) 257-3283.

The LakeVille School District serves the northwest corner of Lapeer County including the communities of Columbiaville and Otter Lake as well as bordering Genesee county.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.