Sage appointed to U-CF board

It took an extra session and an extra vote, but the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board now has a replacement for Eileen Bushelow. The board voted on July 14 to appoint Robert Sage as the third director to represent Region B, which is comprised of Birmingham, Pocopson and Newlin townships.

Bushelow announced her resignation for personal reasons in April. It became effective May 24.

Robert Sage, standing on left, takes the oath of office administered by School Board President Vic Dupuis. Director Steve Simonson looks on.
Robert Sage, standing on left, takes the oath of office administered by School Board President Vic Dupuis. Director Steve Simonson looks on.

Sage moved into the district four years ago and has three sons attending Pocopson Elementary School. “What happens here in the next 10 years is critical for my family,” he said when interviewed at a school board work session on June 9.

He was one of four candidates at that time. One, however, Arnie Klingenberg, withdrew his name before a vote on June 16. Neither of the remaining candidates received the necessary five votes from the remaining eight school board directors. So the three candidates — Sage, Bennett Baird and Hsinte James Yen — returned for another vote on July 14.

None of the three received five votes on the first poll, but Baird was removed from consideration after receiving only two votes. Sage and Yen each had three on that ballot, but Sage won 5-3 on the second ballot.

After the meeting, Sage said his main goal is to “make sure all the students in the district excel, wherever their starting point is. I’m all about academic achievement and making sure we have the right resources, the right programs, to help every student achieve their full potential.”

The remainder of Bushelow’s term runs through December 2015, but Sage said he would run on his own next year. He made that known during his initial interview and re-affirmed that decision the night of the vote.

“I think it’s important, entering into this role, that I have the community support. It’s one thing to be appointed by the board. It’s another thing — and a more powerful thing — to actually have the vote of the community and have that support behind me,” he said.

Sage is from Massachusetts. His business background involves technology and operations in the life insurance industry.

Other board members welcomed Sage into the fold, but said all the candidates were worthy. Board President Vic Dupuis said he hoped the others would continue helping out in the district.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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