Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter has announced the resignation of Cottonwood-Oak Creek School Governing District President Eric Marcus, effective Wednesday, June 8. Marcus did not identify a reason, according to Carter.
“The service that Mr. Marcus has provided to the school district is greatly appreciated,” Carter stated.
Marcus is director of the Social Determinants Programs at Health Choice Arizona, the Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Previously, he served as Chief Administrative Officer of NARBHA Institute and for the institute’s Sustainable Economic Development Initiative.
Due to the proximity of this vacancy to the filing deadline for the upcoming November Governing Board elections, Carter has determined that this vacancy will not be filled at this time.
Mr. Carter said, “Due to the timeline that filling this vacancy would require, it is in the best interest of all involved to wait until the nomination/election process is concluded to make an appointment. Assuming the current candidates remain in the race, with no new candidates, the appointment is expected to be in mid-August after the filing deadline.”
Marcus’ seat was up for election this term. Marcus, fellow incumbent Governing Board member Neil Manzenberger and Ruth Ellen Elinski were running for two open four-year seats.
Manzenberger is a former high school band teacher in Indiana and Arizona and former adjunct professor of music for the Columbus, Indiana, campus of Indiana University.
Elinski is director of the Small Business Development Center and wife of Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski.
The appointment will be of the non-incumbent candidate, Carter stated. If there are additional candidates, it will be of the non-incumbent who receives the highest number of votes.
Thus, if not additional candidates join the race, Ruth Ellen Elinski will be appointed to fill Marcus’ seat and, after the Aug. 2 uncontested election, Elinski and Manzenberger will begin full four-year terms.
All school board elections in Arizona are non-partisan. If an eligible registered voter is interested in running for election to the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Governing Board, or if anyone has questions please contact: Tim Carter, Yavapai County School Superintendent
Yavapai County Education Service Agency
2970 Centerpointe East, Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: 928-925-6560 Fax 928-771-3329 Email: Tim.carter@yavapaiaz.gov
