ALPENA — There is now an open seat on the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education.

Jackie Krawczak, who was the vice president, resigned from the board Monday after four-and-a-half years. She was elected in November 2014 and reelected last fall.

Krawczak, who is president and CEO of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, said her job at the chamber is becoming so demanding that it’s getting to be a challenge for her to attend the meetings required of a board member.

“It was a super hard decision, and I liked my time on the board,” Krawczak said. “I loved everything about being on the board, but I physically can’t be in two places at once.”

Krawczak said in a letter to the board that she doesn’t “ever want to be involved in something that I cannot give my full attention and energy to.” She also stated that she will always be a supporter of education, because education is “truly the way forward.”

District Superintendent John VanWagoner said Krawczak was a great board member and also a great advocate for the district in her work with workforce development and the chamber. He called Krawczak’s resignation “a huge loss for the board.”

“It’s been wonderful to have her insight on the board and her volunteering work to do with our kids,” VanWagoner said. “We just appreciate her time over my past three years and just thankful for the time she committed.”

The board now has 30 days to interview applicants and appoint someone to fill the now-vacant position. If the board doesn’t appoint someone in 30 days, the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Board of Education will have to interview applicants and appoint someone.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.

In other business

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Monday also:

∫ awarded a three-year contract for heating and cooling, mechanical, electrical, and energy management services to Werth Electric. The proposed rates the board approved are $45 an hour for mechanical and electrical services and $50 an hour for energy management.

∫ approved a three-year contract with Alpena Lawn Care for lawn mowing and trimming at the transportation center and Sanborn, Sunset and Lincoln elementaries, and a three-year contract with HLI Landscaping for such work at Alternative Choices for Educational Success Academy, Besser, Ella White, Hinks, and Wilson elementaries.