Republic school board accepts resignation, elects officers

Last edited 8:56 a.m., July 6, 2026 [Editor's note: An incorrect title has been fixed.]

The Republic School District Board of Education met early July 3 to unanimously accept the resignation of its president.

Terry McConnell, who started a second term in April, resigned in late June, citing “personal matters,” according to the district.

He stepped down less than a week after being charged with misdemeanor domestic assault, which allegedly involved brandishing a weapon and repeatedly shoving a woman.

In a July 3 email to Republic employees and families, the district said the board will discuss how to fill McConnell’s seat at a future time.

The board has the option of appointing a Republic resident to fill McConnell’s spot until the April 2027 election. If the board decides to make an appointment, it may request applications or ask a former board candidate or member to serve.

At the July 3 meeting, the board voted 6-0 to elect Lauren Layman – who had been vice president – as the president. Todd Wojciechowski, in his fourth term, was elected vice president.

Layman, first elected in 2023, is in her second term. She and husband Nick are part owners of her family’s business, Smart Insurance Agency, in Marionville. The couple are also co-directors of Drive Out Hunger, a charity golf tournament that provides funding to a backpack food program operated by Republic’s Care to Learn chapter.

Wojciechowski is executive vice president and chief lending officer at Peoples Community Bank. He is also past president of the Republic Area Chamber of Commerce.

Other officer positions were unchanged. The next board meeting is July 20.