Published: June 06, 2007 01:58 pm      

Kane to fill Clarksville school board vacancy

Man who ran for seat in November replaces late former member

CLARKSVILLE — Passed over by voters in November, Michael Kane got the votes he needed from the four remaining members of the Clarksville school board on Tuesday night to fill the void created by the death of Dorothy “Dr. Dot” Lewis.

Kane, 48, was unanimously selected by the four members of the Clarksville Community Schools board of school trustees after being interviewed among three candidates. Deborah Palmer and Sandra Rockey also were interviewed during the public meeting.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Kane said.

A sales manager at Louisville Cooler Manufacturing, Kane has 30 years of experience working in business. A father of four, Kane has two children in the district. His son, Chris, was hired to teach at George Rogers Clark Elementary School in May.

Jim Bemiss, vice president of the school board, asked Kane during the interview if his son working for the corporation would be an issue.

Kane said he discussed that very question with his family before submitting his name.

Bemiss recommended appointing Kane to a term that will expire in 2010. He said the experience Kane had talking to people in the community leading up to the November election gave him a leg up.

“I haven’t heard anyone say anything negative about him,” Bemiss said before making the nomination.

Bemiss said it was a tough decision.

“To have an opening like this and have three quality individuals says a lot about our school corporation,” Bemiss said.

Lewis, 83, defeated Kane to earn her third term on the board in November.

She died May 13 at Jewish Hospital in Louisville following surgery. The Louisville native was an English professor at IU Southeast and was a school teacher for 32 years.

President Bill Wilson said Lewis would be “greatly missed” on the board and in the community she served for so long.