The Mount Vernon School Board appointed Sherry Grunder to fill out the remaining time on Dr. Lori Merlak’s seat until the general election at a meeting Friday, Aug. 4. The vote was 4-0 to do so, with Rick Elliott absent from the meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Greg Batenhorst said that the board had made proper notification of their intent to fill the seat via appointment and received no request for a special election for the seat within the 14-day window.
Board president Nanette Gunn had asked for the public’s help in nominations for the position, and received recommendations for Grunder and Greg Papin from the public.
“What we were looking for with this appointment was someone with previous school board experience who isn’t planning on running for election in the coming school board election to finish out the term,” Gunn said. “That’s why I’m recommending Grunder for the seat.”
Board member Denise Brannaman moved and Jeremy Kunz seconded the appointment.
Grunder previously served on the board, ending at the general election in 2021.
Grunder was sworn in Aug. 4 and will serve until the general election in November, when someone will be elected to the seat for a 2-year term.
MV school board appoints member
August 10, 2023
About the Contributor
Nathan Countryman, Editor
Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.