Two members of the Powell school board are planning to resign this month.

Lisa Barrus, who serves as the board’s clerk, decided to seek employment with Park County School District No. 1, so she is leaving the board. Jason Wardell, who serves as the board’s treasurer, is also resigning because his employer is transferring him out of the state, said Greg Borcher, chairman of the Park County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees.

“They’ve both been excellent,” Borcher said of Wardell and Barrus. “We hate to lose either one of them.”

Wardell and Barrus are involved board members, Borcher said Friday. They’re always prepared for meetings and have attended a lot of professional development sessions, he said.

“You couldn’t ask for better board members than the two of them,” Borcher said. “It’s going to be a big hole for our board.”

The school board is set to consider the resignations during its meeting on May 31. Originally, the board was scheduled to meet today (Tuesday), but postponed the meeting because of scheduling conflicts that would have left the board without a quorum.

Barrus was elected to a four-year term on the board in 2012.

She said she has thoroughly enjoyed her nearly four years on the board.

“I have decided to apply for a position in the school district, and sadly, this requires me to resign my position on the school board,” Barrus said in an email Monday. “Before serving on the board, I believed we had fantastic schools; now I know firsthand of this truth.”

She said teachers and administrators in the district truly want what’s best for students, and they’re not scared to make changes when needed.

“Our schools are some of the best and it is my desire for people to know just how blessed we are,” Barrus said.

She said the camaraderie among fellow board members, administrators and teachers is “remarkable.”

“It was eye opening to learn from attending state and national conferences that it is not common for such relationships to exist,” Barrus said.

She thanked everyone who made it possible for her to serve on the school board, adding that she’s cherished the relationships she’s made and the things she’s learned.

“I want my fellow board members and all members of our district to know how grateful I am to have had this opportunity to serve and work with each of them,” Barrus said. “I hope now to continue on in the schools in a different capacity.”

Wardell was appointed to the board in July 2013 to fill a vacant position; he was then elected to a four-year term in November 2014.

The Tribune’s attempts to reach Wardell for comment by press time Monday were unsuccessful.

Following the May 31 meeting, the board will begin advertising the two open positions, Borcher said.

Residents interested in serving can pick up an application packet at the district’s administration office next week.

The board will review applications and interview the top several candidates, Borcher said.

The new appointed board members will serve through November. They must go through the general election process this fall if they want to be elected to a four-year term. That filing period opens Aug. 10.

Borcher encouraged people to apply for the open positions, especially parents with kids in Powell schools.

Both Barrus and Wardell have children in the school district, and their insight is going to be missed, he said.

“We’ve got a board that works great together,” Borcher said.