Hendrickson named to Atwater school board seat

Mark Hendrickson, Merced County’s Community and Economic Development director, hopes to “connect the dots” between education and workforce development as the new Area 2 trustee on the Atwater Elementary School District governing board.

Hendrickson was appointed Sept. 8 on a 4-0 vote. He will fill the seat vacated by the former board president, Joe Hoffar, who moved out of Area 2 and resigned. Initially, the board received one application for the vacancy, but Aug. 18 it extended the application period and received two other submissions.

“It was nice to have three dedicated community members interested in serving our school district,” said Sandra Schiber, the district’s superintendent. “On behalf of the Atwater Elementary School District board, we look forward to having Mr. Hendrickson join our team.”

Hendrickson will serve through the end of Hoffar’s term, which expires in 2016. Atwater school board members receive a monthly stipend of $240 for attending meetings.

Hendrickson and his children attended school in Atwater and he said he feels lucky to contribute to the district.

“It’s a district that was very impactful in my life and the lives of my kids,” he said. “I wanted the opportunity to give back to a district that’s been very, very good to me.”

Kelly Fincher, Area 1 trustee, said she will be happy to have another parent of an Atwater student on the board.

“I think all of the board members bring a different perspective to the board,” she said. “I’m particularly excited that Mark will be bringing another parent perspective. He also has a strong government background, and I think he will be an asset to the board.”

Hendrickson thanked the board members, Hoffar and the other two applicants.

As for his goals, Hendrickson said he hopes to increase parent and family engagement and implement technology in a way that will help students compete at a high level in the job market. He also hopes to address investments such as capital facility projects or infrastructure projects.

“Educators have incredibly difficult jobs,” he said, “and I’d like to do my part to ensure they have the tools necessary to help our children compete most effectively in a very competitive global marketplace.”

Also at the Sept. 8 meeting, the board named Dale Wilson as president and Scott Lee as clerk.

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Hendrickson named to Atwater school board seat."