LAKE WALES – The Lake Wales Charter School Board of Trustees voted last Tuesday afternoon to fill two vacant seats during its monthly meeting.
In unanimous votes, the Board appointed Dr. T.J. McKeon to Seat 7 and Gail Quam to Seat 8. McKeon, a well-known and respected member of the Lake Wales community, replaced Keith Thompson. He was sworn in during the meeting and took his seat alongside the other board members. McKeon is a chiropractor who practices in Lake Wales. His term expires June 30, 2028.
Thompson never attended a board meeting after his selection because it was discovered shortly afterward that he was ineligible to serve. He resigned because his wife is an employee at Lake Wales High School. According to Florida Statutes 1002.33(26)(c), “prohibits an employee of a charter school, or their spouse, from serving on the governing board of that charter school. This provision ensures that charter school employees or their family members do not hold a position of authority on the board overseeing the school.” Seats 3, 5, and 7 are considered “board seats,” with trustees selected through a nomination process followed by final approval from the Board…