The Altoona Area School Board now has a vacancy to fill a two-year term after board member-elect Bryant Giselman resigned during Tuesday’s reorganization meeting, which saw Val Mignogna reappointed as the board’s president and Kelly Irwin Adams as vice president.

In a Nov. 30 email Giselman sent to Superintendent Brad Hatch, Giselman said he was resigning “due to unfortunate and severe events involving around my health.”

“I wish everyone a safe and happy school year,” Giselman wrote in his resignation message. “Thank you very much for the opportunity and for your support.”

In November’s general election, Giselman, on the Republican ticket, defeated Corinna Griffith, on the Democrat ticket, to secure his spot on the board, filling a vacancy left by outgoing board member David Francis, who decided not to seek reelection for another term.

People interested in filling the vacancy must be at least 18 years of age, live within the Altoona Area School District and have a passion to serve the community, Hatch said, noting candidates must submit a letter of interest by next Friday, Dec. 12.

Letters of interest can be submitted in-person or by mail at the district’s administrative office, 1201 Eighth Ave. They can also be submitted by email, Hatch said, noting additional information will be advertised on the school’s website.

All interested candidates must attend a brief interview process prior to the board’s Dec. 15 meeting, during which the board will appoint someone to fill the vacancy, Hatch said.

In a phone interview Tuesday night, Griffith said she’s still interested in serving on the board and plans to submit her letter of interest to Hatch.

“I definitely am going to go for it,” Griffith said, adding she wants to make a difference for the community and be available to the families who voted for her in the general election.

“I want to make their voices be heard. If I can be their spokesperson, I will do that for them in that position,” Griffith said.

Other business

A regular session meeting was held after the board’s reorganization meeting Tuesday. During that meeting, the family of former school board President Frank Meloy was recognized for making a donation to the Altoona Area School District Foundation’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Meloy addressed the board, stating he became an educator because he wanted to make a difference in the community.

By donating for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a program that provides free books to eligible children within the district, Meloy and his family are doing just that, foundation Executive Director Paula Foreman said.

Foreman said she was not able to disclose the amount of the family’s endowment. However, there are about 950 children who benefit from the program each month and the cost per child is about $250, Foreman said.

The costs add up and donations of any size go a long way to help students, Foreman said, noting people can donate through the foundation’s website, www.aasdfoundation.org.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Kelly Bowers suggested the district’s administrators should announce the board’s vacancy to the current senior class.

“Maybe we could get a kid on the board that can see from the perspective where (you all) need to be,” Bowers said.

In his superintendent’s report, Hatch responded to Bowers, noting current student Camille Krug is a representative of the board.

“Not a voting part,” Bowers said in response to Hatch.

Hatch also thanked outgoing technology director Bryce Cossitor for his years of service with the district. He jokingly said Cossitor should apply for the board’s vacancy.

“Bryce, best of luck to you. We will miss you. You are always welcomed back,” Hatch said.

Mignogna said he appreciates the confidence his fellow board members have in him to once again lead as the board’s president.

“I’ll do my best to lead with professionalism and dignity as my predecessor (Meloy) demonstrated for me,” Mignogna said. “It’s fitting that he’s here tonight.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.