Judge fills school board vacancy
After the California Area School Board was unable to fill a vacancy, the duty fell to a Washington County judge, who questioned two candidates in open court.
On Monday, Judge John DiSalle chose retired teacher Diane Scrip of Roscoe as the board’s ninth member and administered her oath of office.
She petitioned the court last month for the appointment, the process was advertised and DiSalle was to be notified through letters of interest before the predetermined hearing date.
Jeffrey Trunzo of Long Branch also filed a letter of interest with the court. He told the judge he wants to make sure students “should, above all, have all the necessary tools.” He was disappointed when his daughter, now a graduate of California Area High School, told him she was unable to bring home a particular book because there weren’t enough for every student. He also has a 13-year-old son in seventh grade.
President of California Youth Baseball for five years, Trunzo said he has also coached for eight years. In the primary, he ran as a school board write-in candidate.
There has been dissension in the community over a stadium project, but Scrip said, “It was done, it was built and it is being used. That’s water under the bridge.”
The judge also heard from Karin Watson, who was first vice president of the nine-member board until her resignation this fall. She represented Region III, which also includes Allenport, Coal Center and Elco.
She noted the lack of educators among the school board members, a void Scrip would fill even though her daughter is a school district employee.
“She’s very qualified,” Watson said of Scrip. “My kids are night and day, and she was their favorite teacher.”
The judge complimented Scrip and Trunzo for their willingness to serve but said that Scrip would bring “a slightly different perspective in addition to earnestness and sincerity.”
Trunzo congratulated Scrip after the judge announced his decision and said he will probably run for school board.
Scrip will serve for the remainder of Watson’s term, which lasts untl 2017.
School board minutes show Trunzo and John Bitonti made presentations to board members Nov. 9 to promote their qualifications for the office. Letters were read from Scrip and Dr. July Bulboff, both of whom had prior commitments and could not be present.
No candidate secured a majority during the first vote, and Bitonti and Trunzo were tied at three votes apiece on a second ballot. A new board member needed at least five votes to be named to the board.