Brooke fills seat on school board

WELLSBURG - Former Brooke County school board member Richard Pannett will fill a seat on the board left vacant by the death of Frank Ujcich until voters can choose a long-term replacement in the Nov. 4 general election.

On Monday the board agreed to appoint Pannett, who served on the board for eight years after working as a teacher and coach in Brooke County Schools for 33 years, following a 40-minute executive session called also to consider the hiring of various personnel.

Board President Jim Piccirillo said the board didn't actively seek applicants for the seat because the filing period for candidates seeking the seat in November will begin Aug. 4.

Those interested in running for the seat have until 5 p.m. Aug. 19 to declare their candidacy through the county clerk's office at the Brooke County Courthouse.

To comply with residency conditions for the school board, candidates must be residents of the Wellsburg or Weirton magisterial districts. A $25 filing fee and certificate of announcement are required.

The winner of the election will serve the remainder of Ujcich's four-year term, which began July 1, and fill the seat soon after the election.

Piccirillo said the board wanted to avoid giving any potential candidate an unfair advantage by appointing that person to the vacant seat in the interim.

He said Pannett, who chose not to seek re-election when his last term ended, indicated he won't run for the seat in November.

Piccirillo added it seemed best to appoint someone with experience to serve in the three months before the election.

He said in addition to possessing extensive experience and knowledge of the school district, Pannett has a reputation for fairness and honesty.

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Brooke fills seat on school board