Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Hudson Board of Education selected Willette M. Jones to serve as its new president and Lakia Walker as the newest member at the board's January 18 meeting. Mark DePace, who joined the board in May, was elected vice president. The shuffle was caused by the departure of Carrie Otty, a 10-year member of the board, serving as president for a little more than half of that time. Interim Superintendent Maria L. Suttmeier thanked Otty for her service and presented her with a travel bag to “take wherever life takes you.” Otty thanked the board, and said of her service, “It’s been an experience and a joy.” Jones has served on the board for five and a half years. She became vice-president in 2018. Jones moved to Hudson when she was two and graduated from Hudson High School in 1988. Her four children attended Hudson schools and she has worked as a parent coordinator for Community Schools. DePace owns a company that produces commercials and he has lived-in Hudson since 2018. His son has attended Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School. Walker has an MA in school counseling and has been employed by Questar III BOCES for 20 years. She lives in Hudson, and her children attend the Hudson schools. Walker declared, “I love this school, and my kids love this school. I’m always looking at ways to improve things. Changes are coming, and I want to be part of them.” Three other people expressed interest in filling the vacancy — Kjirsten Gustavson, Katie Hardy, and Jennifer Daly. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.