The Board of Trustees met for several hours in a June 29 Special Meeting before voting 6-0 to appoint the Rev. Klam to fill the open position’s remaining term. In all, 28 district residents applied officially to serve out Mr. Schaper’s term, which will conclude in May 2017.
“We sincerely thank Mr. Schaper for his many years of dedicated service, and we welcome Reverend Klam to the Board,” SBISD Board President Karen Peck said. “As a parent, community leader and longstanding district volunteer, Reverend Klam has demonstrated his commitment to the district and its core values.”
“He has actively participated in many district activities, including the Strategic Planning Committee and the Financial Advisory Committee. Not only has Reverend Klam volunteered in our schools, he has advocated on behalf of SBISD before our legislators,” President Peck also said. “We are delighted that he is willing to join the Board and to serve the students, staff and taxpayers of SBISD.”
SBISD Superintendent Dr. Scott Muri praised his roots in the community and schools, and his passion for serving others.
“Reverend Klam’s heart and home is Spring Branch ISD,” Dr. Muri said. “He was raised here, he attended and graduated from our schools, and he has been involved in our school district since he graduated from college, married and became a Spring Branch ISD parent. I am confident that as a Trustee, Josef will help our school district make smart decisions for the future as we launch our new Strategic Plan and do our very best to meet the unique needs of Every Child we serve.”
Born and raised in Spring Branch, the Rev. Klam attended Valley Oaks Elementary and Spring Branch Junior High before graduating from Memorial High School. He earned his bachelor of science degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. He will soon be awarded a master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary located in Wilmore, Ky., an evangelical, multi-denominational Protestant seminary.
The new Board member has served in several roles at Chapelwood United Methodist Church for almost two decades now, including the student ministry, as a family minister pastor, and for the past two years as an adult discipleship pastor. The son of two Spring Branch High School alumni and a mother who is a retired SBISD educator, Spring Branch is deeply embedded in his DNA.
The Rev. Klam and his wife, Amy, have three children including two who are currently attending Spring Woods and Memorial high schools. His community and school connections are deep, and include Valley Oaks Elementary Jamboree co-chair and Lifetime PTA recipient, Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) coach, Memorial High School Student Assistance Program mentor, volunteer reader at The Panda Path School for Early Learning, Communities in Schools advocate and supporter, Junior Achievement facilitator at Spring Branch Middle School, district Finance Subcommittee member (2014), and current board member with Spring Branch Speaks, a parent-led, local education advocacy group.
The Rev. Klam assisted in Chapelwood United Methodist’s implementation of the district’s T-2-4 initiative at the congregational level. Historically, this large Memorial-area church has played a key role in generating volunteer and community support for SBISD efforts to reach Every Child, especially on high-need campuses.
Speaking before the appointment vote on Wednesday evening, Board President Peck expressed sincere and deeply felt thanks from the Board to all 28 applicants for the open Board vacancy.
“We are tremendously fortunate as a community to have so many qualified, capable, and civic-minded residents apply for the position. This list truly reflects the depth of talent and leadership in our community. With so many impressive candidates, it was a very difficult decision for the Board, and the Board gave each applicant careful consideration,” she said.
“I truly hope that the applicants will continue to be involved in our District, as I anticipate that over the next year, there will be ample opportunities for involvement,” President Peck added.
The Rev. Klam will be officially sworn into office soon.
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