Centralia’s new city manager Galen Mahle has resigned from his seat on the Centralia High School Board.
Mahle said he took the action after both the city and Centralia High School attorney saw being city manager and school board member was a conflict of interest due to the interaction between the city and school.
“It’s disappointing for me, but I look forward to working with them in the capacity as city manager and continuing to build relationships with them and all of the things that the high school provides in the city, as well as what the city can continue to provide in a school resource officer and different activities like that.”
Mahle saw a lot during his 16 years on the high school board and is most pleased with how they weathered the difficult financial times before state funding improved.
“What I’m proud of is the fact that while other schools had to cut programs during that time, trades classes and different things like that, Centralia High School actually didn’t cut and in some instances were able to expand those programs. We know that it’s a crucial component of our students coming out and being job-ready, for those who aren’t wanting to go to college.”
Mahle says he’s also pleased with the number of students receiving dual credit from Kaskaskia College on some of the high school classes.
The Centralia High School Board Thursday night will accept the resignation and determine how to handle appointing a new board member.
