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Girard welcomes new school board member

GIRARD — The Girard Board of Education at a special meeting Monday named Tammy King as its newest member to fill an opening after the recent resignation of longtime member Diane Alejars.

King was selected from seven applicants.

She is a retired professor from Youngstown State University who served as department chairwoman of criminal justice and later as associate dean and interim dean of the college. She now works part-time at YSU and Kent State University

She has a doctorate in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. King said she looks forward to serving the school district and community.

“I have been in Girard since I was 5 years old and have always been interested in education. I have worked for the juvenile justice system, and I learned an education can help save young people. If they can connect with learning they can do so much better,” King said.

She said she can see that Girard school officials are committed to the students and “the high quality education” the students receive.

“As a member of the school board, I can focus on the students and staff and their needs. I want to make sure the staff has the resources they need to educate the children. It is an opportunity to focus on the future,” King said.

She also has been on the board at the Girard Multi-Generational Center, which offers programs for older residents.

Board President Vincent Ragozine said the board members are excited to have King as a member.

“She had an excellent resume and a lot of experience working with children and working in higher education. She has a lot of community involvement and an exemplary history of serving the community,” he said.

Board member Sue Ellen Davis said the board had a difficult time deciding since all seven candidates had a lot to offer.

She said King has experience with grant writing and a background in criminal justice, which made her stand out.

Ragozine said they were pleased to have seven residents interested in serving on the board.

King will serve through December and if she wants to continue serving on the board, she will need to run in the November general election.

Other applicants were Zachary Hileman, Ana Markle, Danny O’Connell, James Stacciotti, Zac Steiner and Joanne Sura.

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