Kiski Area School Board president steps down early, district seeks short-term replacement

Kiski Area School Board President Michelle Schmidt has resigned from her seat on the board about two months before her term was set to expire, Superintendent Misty Slavic confirmed Wednesday.

The board vacancy was announced Sept. 21 on the district’s Facebook page and website, and eligible residents were encouraged to apply.

The deadline is Friday.

Schmidt did not seek reelection to represent Region II, which includes Washington Township, Oklahoma Borough, Avonmore and Bell Township.

The person chosen to replace her will only serve until the first week of December. Two new school directors will serve the region after that.

Two seats were up this year from Region II, and the same two candidates were on both primary ballot, so both candidates won a nomination.

Jenna Porter Rowe collect the most votes in the Democratic Party primary and John L. Shaner won the Republican nomination, both by narrow margins.

Schmidt, of Washington Township, could not be reached for comment.

To be eligible to become a school director, a candidate must be at least 18 years old and live in the district at least a year.

The rural district serves about 3,400 students on six campuses.

Applicants are asked to submit a letter of interest and resume to the Kiski Area Central Office, 200 Poplar St., Vandergrift, PA 15690.

Indicate on the letter that the correspondence is about the school board vacancy.

The Kiski Area School Board meetings are held at 7 p.m. on third Monday of each month in the board room at the Kiski Area Central Administration Building.