Sykes, Hill, Vasquez take positions on TPS board, pledge collaboration

1/6/2010

Larry Sykes' two-year break from the Toledo Board of Education is over: He was sworn in to the school board yesterday along with Bob Vasquez and Brenda Hill.

The three received the most votes out of the 10 candidates in the November election.

Mr. Sykes, who served on the board from 1997-07, said he was looking forward to working with the new board.

"My goal is to work with these individuals at all costs," he said.

Mr. Vasquez and Ms. Hill were appointed previously to the board. The November election garnered them their own four-year terms.

"The election was a dream come true," said Ms. Hill, who was appointed in July to serve the remaining term of Steven Steel after he resigned to fill a vacancy on Toledo City Council. "Now it's time to buckle down and get to work," she said.

Mr. Vasquez has been on the board since March, 2008, when he was chosen to finish Robert Torres' term. He and the other board members vowed collaboration in 2010.

"Absolutely it's the way it should be," he said. "And not just between us as board members, but collaboration with other elected officials in the city too."

Mr. Vasquez was elected to remain president of the board. Lisa Sobecki will continue to serve as vice president.