13 apply for position on city school board

By Harold Gwin

The board plans to make an appointment at its regular meeting Tuesday.

YOUNGSTOWN — The city school board has a long list of candidates interested in filling the unexpired term of Shelley Murray, who resigned effective July 29.

A total of 13 people, including former school board members Michael Write and Ronald Skowron, applied for the position by the 3 p.m. Friday deadline.

The school board has 30 days from Murray’s resignation to make an appointment but plans to move much faster.

The board met in special session Friday to begin narrowing the list and expects to complete the process during its caucus session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Anthony Catale, board president, said the plan is to make the appointment at Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. regular meeting.

The appointee will serve the entire 21‚Ñ2 years remaining in Murray’s term, he said.

Murray’s resignation after 51‚Ñ2 years on the board came as a surprise to other board members, coming at the end of a July 28 meeting.

She said her family priorities have changed, and she decided she must step down midway through her second term.

The board approved a resolution of appreciation for her years of service, including a stint as board president.

The Ohio School Boards Association says that, in general, to be eligible for a school board post in Ohio, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the state and the school district and registered to vote in the school district.

Those applying for her seat are:

UNeil Buzzaco, 1488 McCollum Road.

UJune Drennen, 244 Tod Lane.

UTerrance Esarco, 317 E. Midlothian Blvd.

URachel Hanni, 3663 Glenmere Ave.

UJoyce A. Lomax, 11 Brookline Ave.

UAndrea Mahone, 309 Belle Vista Ave.

UJeanette Mickler, 3498 Kingston Lane.

ULee D. Pupio, 3432 N. Wendover circle.

URonald Skowron, 204 Berkshire Drive.

UArthur R. Ward, 918 Winona Ave.

UDebra G. Weaver, 1330 Wick Ave.

UMichael Write, 546 Breaden St.

UJames R. York, 2926 Mahoning Ave.

gwin@vindy.com