LA PORTE CITY – The Union Community School District is expected to fill a vacant District At-Large school board seat by appointment during a special meeting scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The seat opened up in early September following former president Corey Lorenzen’s unexpected resignation.

In his Sept. 10 resignation letter addressed to both Superintendent John Howard and board secretary Diane Roberts, Lorenzen, who lives in La Porte City, did not provide a reason for his decision, writing, “This letter is intended to notify you of my resignation from the Union Community School District Board of Directors. Obviously, I am also resigning as the President of the Board as well. My resignation is effective immediately. I wish the District all the best in the future.”

In an email sent to staff regarding Lorenzen’s decision, Howard wrote, in part, “We certainly thank Corey for his commitment, leadership, professionalism and willingness to do what was best for the district over the last 8+ years.”

Due to Lorenzen’s resignation falling after the Aug. 28 deadline to place a school board vacancy on the Nov. 5 ballot (for any Iowa district already running a public measure), the seat could be filled by appointment.

“A special board meeting will be held in the near future to appoint a candidate,” Roberts told the newspaper on Oct. 1 via email. “Letters of interest from eligible residents of the district were due in our office yesterday and the board will need time to review those before taking any action.”

According to Howard, the board is required to fill the vacancy within 30 days of the resignation; the appointee will fill out the remainder of Lorenzen’s term which lasts through 2027.

Lorenzen last ran for the school board in 2023, running unopposed. The seat is one of two director district at-large seats, the other is currently held by Lindsay Pipho of Dysart.

Tonight’s meeting agenda indicates the board plans to both discuss and consider the appointment of a new at-large board member. The meeting is set to begin at 5 p.m. at Union Middle School in the media center.

The newspaper will feature coverage of tonight’s meeting in next week’s edition.