Franklin Regional taking letters of interest for school board seat

The Franklin Regional school board is accepting letters of interest for a new member, after officially accepting the resignation of Director Gary English earlier this month.

The board has 30 days to appoint a new member to fill English’s seat, and did not take any action to fill it Monday night.

School board Solicitor Gary Matta said it made sense to continue accepting letters of interest, despite a district-set deadline expiring.

“If you’re not going to vote this evening, I think keeping it open until some other date beyond this point wouldn’t harm anybody,” Matta said.

Director Ed Mittereder agreed.

“I would like this to be an open door if we’re not voting tonight,” he said.

Andre Parquette of Murrysville, who has two daughters attending district schools, urged the school board to consider adding a second female director.

“I know that I am not alone in wanting (my daughters) to be inspired and see a future for themselves as they look up to the leadership roles in their community,” Parquette said in comments to the board. “It goes without saying, that a diversity in perspectives and experience are crucial to collaborative execution.”

Director Paul Scheinert asked that the school board’s Nov. 9 date be advertised as a voting meeting, in order to appoint a new board member if its members choose.

If the school board does not appoint a new member in 30 days, Matta said, any registered voter in the school district can petition the court to handle the appointment.

English was elected in 2019 along with fellow first-term directors Scott Weinman, Ed Mittereder and Bill Yant.