Garnet Valley picks new board member
CONCORD — The Garnet Valley School Board approved the appointment of Greg Downes to fill an unexpired term through December 2013. The vote was 7- 0- 1 with board member Richard Jones abstaining, noting he had not actively participated in the interview or search.
Downes will fill the vacancy created by the October resignation of Edward Plasha who served on the board for 12 years. He was recently appointed as the Bethel Township tax collector.
“It will be difficult to replace Ed and his abilities in finance. We had three solid candidates and are incredibly grateful we have community members who will step forward for service,” said board President Rosemary Fuimara. “The work has long hours and can often be intense.”
Board member Tracy Karwoski echoed Fuimara’s praise of the applicants.
“The decision came down to the fact we were losing someone with finance expertise,” Karwoski said.
Downes said he has been regularly attending board meetings for about 18 months. He noted he’d become more involved during negotiation of the last teachers’ contract, which was settled earlier this calendar year. Downes said many in his immediate family were educators.
“I have a 3- year- old son and we are expecting another son, so I take education seriously. I wanted to be on the front end of decision making,” Downes said.
Downes has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in marketing. He will bring to the board professional experience which has included management of companies with multimillion dollar budgets.
Downes will be sworn in at the Dec. 3 reorganization and regular meeting.