EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District Board of Directors honored longtime board member Bill Correll at Monday’s regular district meeting, according to information provided by the district. 

“We are incredibly grateful for Bill’s dedication and diligent support of Ephrata Schools,” said Ephrata School District Superintendent, Tim Payne. “It has truly been an honor to work with Bill. His institutional knowledge of our district is second to none. He will truly be missed.”

Michael Fleurkens was recently elected to fill Correll’s position on the board and will be sworn in at the December meeting along with Josh Sainsbury who was reelected to his own position. Fleurkens took slightly more than 54% of the vote in the election with his opponent, Jordan Hansen, taking just under 46%. The election saw 2,078 ballots cast.

Former Interim Superintendent Dan Martell attended the meeting and said he was grateful to Correll for his service — 37 years’ worth — to the district. Martell said Correll always focused on students, staff and stuff — also referred to as “the three S’es” during his time on the board. Correll prioritized them in that order, Martell said, and that aided in moving the district forward toward success; the theory being that putting students and staff first meant that other stuff would work itself out.