By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – For the first time in four years, Unit 5 has a new Board of Education president.

Meta Mickens-Baker was elected by the board Wednesday night to succeed John Puzauskas, who had served in the role the past four years. Mickens-Baker said she’s honored to take on the position.

“It’s my pleasure to serve as the president of the board for the next year,” said Mickens-Baker. “I look forward to working together with the group to educate each student to achieve personal excellence.”

Puzauskas said Mickens-Baker is entering a familiar role.

“Meta was president prior to me being president four years ago and Meta exhibited tremendous leadership, talent, and skills leading the district in those two years that she was president,” said Puzauskas. “So I have all the confidence in the world based on Meta’s performance back then.”

Mickens-Baker said Puzauskas has been an “excellent president.”

“I want to continue hearing the public, hearing the board members, making sure that we’re efficient, making sure that we continue to move forward with our balanced budget and doing the best that we can for our students,” Mickens-Baker said.

Also on Wednesday, the board seated newly elected members Jim Hayek and Barry Hitchens. The two replace outgoing board members Mark Pritchett and Wendy Maulson, who had each served the past eight years but chose not to run for re-election.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].