Rick Rabinowitz, who organized opposition to Pottsgrove’s redistricting plans, has declared his interest in the job. Board members are hoping others will too.

POTTSTOWN PA – With a seat on the Pottsgrove School District Board of School Directors now vacant, a result of the Tuesday (June 12, 2012) resignation of long-time director Philip Keogh, President Michael Neiffer has issued a call for those interested in the job to step up and introduce themselves.

Now that Pottsgrove school board member Philip Keogh, second from right, has resigned, board members must interview for and choose his successor

“We’d like to have someone with experience, someone that’s a fit for the educational work we do,” Neiffer announced hopefully as Tuesday night’s board meeting ended. There’s time for potential candidates to become acclimated, too; except for a last-minute June 26 session to set its 2012-2013 final district budget, the board has few if any meetings during the next two months, he said.

The past two vacancies have been filled by people who have had a relationship with the schools, not only because of their children who attend them but due to their involvement on other levels.

• Patti Grimm, who filled the position left by former director Keith McCarrick in October 2009, had two children who attended and graduated from Pottsgrove; she was a school soccer coach, and she was active in parent-teacher organizations and the high school Booster Club.

• David Faulkner, who competed against Grimm for the McCarrick vacancy, ultimately was selected by board members for a seat in May 2010; he succeeded director Robert Lindgren, who resigned to return to military service. At the time Faulkner also had two children in the schools, was a youth soccer and basketball coach, and served as a Boy Scout troop committee member.

One interested father has already announced he will apply for Keogh’s vacancy. As Tuesday’s meeting disbanded Lower Pottsgrove Township resident Rick Rabinowitz, who was instrumental in organizing opposition to Pottsgrove’s redistricting plans and who earlier said he would be a candidate for general election to the board, indicated he will seek the now-open seat.

Although neither has yet publicly indicated renewed interest, two other individuals who applied during 2010 for the Lindgren vacancy could also come forward. They were former board president Darryl Hendershot, and township resident and security consultant Edward Cox.

And, maybe, there’s you.

School board members arise from all types of professional and vocational backgrounds, with a variety of personal and family interests, Neiffer has said in the past, and the best candidates are usually those who are busy with many other things but are willing to take on another, he added. Potential candidates are encouraged to write, call (610-327-2277), or visit the district office at 1301 Kauffman Rd., Pottstown, for information on applying.

Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ June 12 meeting):

• Pottsgrove Now Seeks To Fill Keogh’s Vacant Seat
• In Pottsgrove Budget, Board Targets 3-Percent Tax Hike
• Pottsgrove Approves Budget-Stabilizing Teacher Contract
• Long-Time Pottsgrove Director Philip Keogh Resigns
• Pottsgrove Board Votes Tonight On Proposed Contract