South Western school board seeks member

• South Western School Board is looking for a new member after a recent resignation.
• The applicants will be interviewed on Jan. 30 in a public meeting.

The South Western School District is looking for a community member in the district to serve on its board.

In December, school board President Dale Myers resigned after 27 years of service. Superintendent Barbara Rupp said Myers' wife recently retired, so he decided it was his time to retire, too.

"He gave unbelievable service," Rupp said, adding Myers served as president for most of his years on the board.

Ray Mummert, the board's previous vice president, will take over as president  Dec. 31, when Meyers' resignation is effective. Board members Vanessa Berger and Thomas Zimmerman will become co-vice presidents.

The district has 30 days to fill the open position, so applications are due by Jan. 27, with public interviews taking place  Jan. 30. To obtain an application, community members may call the superintendent at 717-632-2500.

Applicants will  be interviewed publicly by the board and must explain why they would like to serve on the board, what experience they have and why they are passionate about the school district. The board will then vote, with Rupp serving as a silent member. The entire process is open to the public.

The only requirements to be a board member are that the individual must be at least 18 years old, must have a high school diploma and must live in the school district, which encompasses Penn, Manheim and West Manheim townships. The district does not have specific zones board members must be from, as other districts in the county do.

Rupp said the applicant should be available to attend board meetings, which take place at 7 p.m.  the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Committee meetings take place  Mondays.

"So if you're in a choir that practices every Wednesday night, you may not want to apply," she said with a laugh.

The new member will be joining the board right as discussions amp up for the 2017-18 school year budget.

The chosen candidate will hold the position until elections take place in 2017. The individual must run  to continue serving on the school board.