Four Great Prairie Area Education Agency Board members were elected to new four-year terms of office in September 2009. 

Harold Mick from Albia was re-elected to the Board, representing Director District No. 2: Albia, Chariton, Eddyville-Blakesburg, Lineville-Clio, Moravia and Wayne Community School Districts.  Mick has served on the Board of Directors for a remarkable 35 years. 

John Adam from Richland was re-elected to the Board of Directors and will continue to represent Director District No. 6: Fairfield, Fremont, Pekin, WACO, Winfield-Mt. Union and the portion of Highland Twp. Pct., Richland Twp, Pct. and Center Twp. Pct. contained in the Ottumwa School District.

Director District No. 7 will continue to be represented by Lonny Morrow from Mt. Pleasant, who represents:  Mediapolis, Morning Sun, Mt. Pleasant, New London and Wapello Community School Districts. 

Victoria Stephenson of Ft. Madison was elected to represent Director District No. 9, which includes: Danville, Ft. Madison, West Burlington and the portion of West Burlington Twp. Pct., Union Concordia Pct. and Flint River Middletown Pct. contained in the Burlington School District.  Mrs. Stephenson replaces retiring Board member John Schnicker of Ft. Madison. 

Great Prairie AEA Board members are elected by the school boards of the districts they represent. Board members will be officially sworn into office at the Oct. 13, 2009 Board meeting to be held at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center in Fairfield. Board meetings are held in Fairfield on the second Tuesday each month throughout the year. 

Great Prairie Area Education Agency, with main offices in Ottumwa and Burlington, and seven satellite offices, is a regional education organization that provides school improvement services for students, teachers and administrators. The Agency is an educational partner with 35 public school districts and six accredited, private schools in a 14-county area of southeast Iowa. Great Prairie AEA staff, schools, and families work together to help all children reach their highest potential.

For more information, contact Nancy Brown, communication specialist/board secretary, Ottumwa, at 800-622-0027, Ext. 5210/email:  nancy.brown@gpaea.k12.ia.us or Jennifer Woodley, communication specialist/administrative assistant, Burlington, at 800-382-8970, Ext. 1232/email jennifer.woodley@gpaea.k12.ia.us.  More information about Great Prairie AEA is also available at the Agency’s Web site:  www.gpaea.k12.ia.us.