3 apply for seat on board of education

By Jordan Cohen

The board expects to make the appointment next week.

NILES — Three candidates have applied to fill the education board seat vacated by the surprise resignation of Dori Gatta MacMillan on Dec. 2.

The three are Traci L. Buttar, a certified public accountant; Veronica Caruso, a retired day-care center owner; and Rocky Riviella, a controller for the Trumbull County engineer and former school board member.

The board is accepting applications until 3 p.m. Monday at its West Street offices. To apply, a person must live in the city school district and be a registered voter. The board expects to appoint a successor at its meeting next Thursday.

According to Ohio law, the board has 30 days from Dec. 2 to name a replacement, or the choice will be made by the county’s probate judge.

MacMillan, who served less than one year of her four-year term, said last week she resigned so that she could take “a new path professionally and personally.” Under state law, her replacement must stand for re-election in November 2009.

During a special meeting Wednesday, the board also selected the Columbus-based architectural firm of Fanning, Howey, Olsavsky and Jaminet to design the new high school and two elementary schools that will be partially financed by a bond issue approved by voters in November.

Superintendent Rocco Adduci said the firm was determined to be most-qualified over four other applicants.

The schools will begin contract negotiations with the architects immediately, and Adduci said he hopes a contract can be approved at next week’s meeting.