The Altoona Area School Board is whole again after David Francis was selected to fill a vacancy that was created earlier this month when board member-elect Bryant Giselman resigned.

Giselman won a two-year term on the board in November’s general election, filling a vacancy left by Francis, who decided not to run for re-election.

During Monday’s board meeting, Francis said he wanted to run in November’s election but was unable to due to a personal issue he “had to deal with.”

Those issues were resolved, but by then, it was too late to get on the election ballot, Francis told the board during his interview process.

A total of 15 people submitted letters of interest for the board vacancy, although two were absent during Monday’s meeting — Dominic Mattiello and Amy Pipetti — and did not move forward in the interview process.

Of the 13 candidates who received first-round interviews, Francis, James Abbott, Doug Simmons, Nicole Taneyhill and Michael Geishauser were selected for a second round of questioning, since none of the candidates received a majority vote to be appointed.

The board asked each of the five candidates, “How would you ensure you represent the whole community and not one group” during the second round, giving each candidate three minutes to respond.

Abbott said he would get out in the community, see people in different places and be available to any constituents.

Francis said representing the people of Altoona is something he’s done for 30 years as a previous member of the board.

Geishauser said he takes care of people outside of education and would be a parental advocate for every group of students.

Simmons said he would try to support the district’s staff and students while recognizing the needs of the district’s taxbase.

Taneyhill said it’s important to make sure everybody has the opportunity to feel heard.

When it came time to vote, Francis received the support of board members Mike Pappas, Justin McCaulley, Stephanie McGinnis, Val Mignogna, Kelly Irwin Adams and John Romanowicz. Board member Bob Pacifico voted for Taneyhill, while board member Chris Cook voted for Simmons.

McGinnis said all of the candidates were “top notch” and encouraged them to pursue future spots on the board — sentiments that were shared by Mignogna and Superintendent Brad Hatch.

McGinnis said she feels it’s her responsibility to represent the community, and since Francis was elected by the community multiple times, she voted to appoint him to the board.

Francis said it was “heartwarming” that a majority of the board voted in favor of appointing him.

“This is a great bunch of people on this board. They’re dedicated to our kids, they’re dedicated to our community and they’re going to do what’s right,” Francis said after the meeting, noting he wants to continue the board’s momentum to give the district’s students the best educational opportunities possible.

“We’re going to do good things over the next two years,” Francis said.

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