UPDATE - The Bixby Board of Education has chosen Matt Dotson to fill the seat vacated by board President Ron Schnare, who did not seek re-election.
BIXBY, Okla. --The Bixby Board of Education interviewed six candidates to fill its empty seat after President Ron Schnare did not seek re-election.
Thursday night Schnare shared his final thoughts.
“Five years goes by fast," he said.
The meeting was longer than normal as the board interviewed six individuals for the open spot.
Schnare disclosed why he didn't seek re-election.
“I’m building a house that’s outside of that area so until now I haven’t told the media that because I thought it was private but that’s the reason," he said.
There was no mention of the Bixby football sexual assault investigation at the meeting.
In January, the board said they had concluded its investigation and took several actions in response to the results of the investigation. Dr. Kyle Wood resigned in December after a 16-year-old told detectives he was sexually assaulted at the former superintendent's home by four football players in September.
“I think the district is headed in a good direction and I feel good about that," Schnare said.
The case remains open. In the meantime, Schnare says Bixby administrators are working on new training.
“Training in regards to sexual assault? Yes that, bullying and hazing," he said.
Investigators are looking into whether other school officials delayed reporting the incident. The high school principal and athletic director were both named in a previous affidavit as having knowledge of the incident and questioned if they needed to report it to the Department of Human Services. Both are still employed with the district.
Thursday night, all eyes were on Schnare as he said goodbye to the Spartans.
“We’re looking forward to the next season of life," he said.
Dr. Wood could face multiple misdemeanor charges. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.
