The Mantua board of education swore in a board member and approved the appointment of several district personnel during its meeting on Jan. 22.
Karen Vick took the oath of office for a year-long term – effective through Dec. 31 – from Board Solicitor William Morlock. Vick has been on the board since January of 2021, according to the school district website, and has previously served on the Clearview Regional School District’s board.
Vick won the position over two other candidates after a public interview session at the Jan. 2 board meeting.
“I believe the role of the individual (board member) is to advocate for student achievement for all students,” said Vick. “Regardless of whatever grade, whatever background, whatever ethnicity, just to make sure that it is fair and equitable for all students in the public school system.
“I’ve been here (in Mantua) for 36 years,” she added. “I have three children and they came through Centre City and JMT (J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School). I have three Clearview graduates and I am a proud Mantua Township resident.
“I take my role seriously, because I am a part of the community.”
Later in the meeting, the board approved the appointment of 11 district employees after a hiring process in which both teachers and principals took part. Some of them thanked the board during public comment for allowing them to be part of the process and praised the candidates hired, specifically the district’s new Director of Curriculum, Laura Sandy, who was not in attendance.
“I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in a lot of interviews,” said Centre City Principal Jennifer Cavalieri. “Single-handedly, I say this (Sandy’s) was one of the most impressive interviews that I’ve ever seen to date.
‘I’ve been here a long time, and I’m still super eager to grow and to take my vote to the next level. And I’m generally excited about this personnel.”
While most of the appointments will go into effective immediately or within the coming weeks, Sandy’s tenure will not begin until Wednesday, July 31. It is set to end on June 30, 2025.
The district’s human resource committee presented the appointments, as well as district retirements/resignations, adjustments/transfers, clinical experience and stipends approved unanimously by the board.
The next Mantua board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, at Centre City Elementary.
