Baginski resigns from Othello school board

OTHELLO — Applications will be accepted March 25 through April 11 for an open seat on the Othello School Board. Board member Chris Baginski announced his resignation at the March 10 board meeting. 

Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said Tuesday that board members will discuss the selection process at the March 24 meeting. Board members will review the applications April 14 and conduct candidate interviews in a special meeting scheduled for April 28. The new board member will be announced that night.  

Baginski was elected to the school board in 2023. He was in his first term.  

Baginski represented a director district, which means the new board member must live within that district. He was the board member for District 2, which includes the area from the district boundary along State Route 26, south and east to the southern and eastern district boundaries, then north to Road 12 Southwest.  

Applications can be submitted at the district office, 1025 S. First Ave., after March 24. 

Baginski said during the meeting that he’s starting something new that would make it difficult to stay on the school board.  

“I’m going to have to step down to pursue a different career,” he said. “But if wasn’t for being on the school board it wouldn’t have opened my eyes to this next chapter in my life. It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with everybody up here.” 

He said he appreciated the opportunity to get to know and work with district administrators and school board members.  

Board chair Lindsy Prows said it’s a time-consuming job, and Baginski was willing to put in that time. 

“I have appreciated the time and energy and effort that you have put into showing up, not only to Monday night meetings, but also to site visits, and school board retreats, and multiple extra meetings and executive sessions. This a very, very demanding role and you’ve really taken it in stride,” Prows said.  

Baginski said the time spent was worth it.  

“It’s been a fun 18 months,” he said. “It’s time-consuming but good time-consuming. It’s been great.”  

Baginski was one of three people who joined the OSD at the same time, all of whom were new to it. Board member Ken Johnson said he was impressed with the way Baginski and his fellow newcomers Isauro Pruneda Jr. and Aaron Gerber met the challenge. 

“I know when the three of you three of you came on, it was like three freshmen coming into a senior class,” Johnson said. “But you guys jumped (in) right off the bat. There was no hesitation at all.” 

Johnson said Baginski handled the job well. 

“You were able to jump right in and be a good contributing member. No matter how long you’re here in this spot, there are still new things that we learn all the time. And I learned a lot from you too, going through this. And I really appreciate that,” Jonson said. 

Perez said he appreciated that Baginski took on the job of running for the board, and how he handled the job when he got it. Baginski was always consistent in his positions and how he expressed them, Perez said. 

    Chris Baginski