MRH School Board Welcomes New Member and Reflects on Hogue's Life

Two people began three-year terms with the Maplewood Richmond Heights Board of Education on Monday during a brief meeting that included both laughter and a moment of reflection.

President Maria Langston swore in new member Julie Pole, and Lamar Agard then swore in Langston.

Earlier in the meeting, Langston reminded the audience that Alex Hogue also should have been sworn in Monday. in March.

"As many of you know, Alex Hogue should be joining us tonight," Langston said. "But God had a different plan for him."

Hogue's wife, Kim, will assume his position on the district's African-American Community Advisory Council.

The district will begin soliciting letters of intent for the open seat after the board's regular meeting April 21, district spokesman Tom Wickersham said.

Applications will be accepted for two weeks, after which the board will begin interviewing the candidates, Langston said. The goal is to have a new member in place before graduation.

Also on Monday, the board reappointed Langston as its president, Agard as its vice president, Nelson Mitten as its treasurer and Brooke Rintoul as its secretary.

Attendees at Monday's meeting included friends and family of both members being sworn in. They had lemonade, brownies and other refreshments afterward.

Langston's husband, Mark, said he is proud of his wife. The former two-term mayor of Maplewood said members of the board invest hours of time without getting paid for it.

"This is truly a labor of love for them," Mark Langston said.