New Trustees for East Central College: JT Hardy and Audry Freitag Step into Roles

JT Hardy and Audry Freitag are the new trustees of East Central College (ECC). This is the first change in the board since 2018. Hardy replaced Prudence Fink Johnson in Subdistrict 1. Johnson, a trustee for 30 years, did not run for re-election. Freitag, now in her third term, represents Subdistrict 2 after a 2022 realignment. This realignment aimed to match the district lines with the College’s taxing district population.

Freitag's subdistrict covers parts of central and western Franklin County, including Union and New Haven school districts. Hardy's area includes St. Clair and Sullivan school districts, and parts of Crawford and Washington counties within the ECC Taxing District. The ECC board consists of six trustees, two from each of the three sub-districts. Trustees must live in the sub-district they represent.

Johnson, replaced by Hardy, joined the Board of Trustees in 1994. A reception was held for her before the April 11 Board meeting, her last as a Trustee. The College recognized her 30 years of service with a resolution.

After Hardy and Freitag were sworn in, the Trustees re-elected board officers. Ann Hartley remains as board president, Dr. Joe Stroetker as vice president, Dr. Eric Park as the board treasurer, and Ina “Cookie” Hays as the board secretary. Hardy and Freitag will serve as directors. Board officers are elected for two-year terms.

Bonnie Gardner, the president's executive assistant, will continue as recording secretary until June 30. Stacey Langan will assume the role on July 1, after Gardner’s retirement. The Board of Trustees, which meets monthly, is the sole governing body responsible for ECC's control and operation.

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