By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- The Brandywine Public Schools Board of Education filled its vacant trustee position at Monday night's meeting.
Rick Zache, a superintendent for the Coca-Cola Co. and father of two Brandywine students, was appointed to the position after going through a group interview with three other candidates.
The interview process was open to the public and featured one round of questions in which each candidate had to answer the same questions from the board members.
The board members' questions hit on topics such as the qualities each candidate would bring to the board and the improvements they would like to see in the district.
After deciding to appoint Zache, members from the board thanked the other candidates and said they were impressed with all of their answers.
Interim Superintendent Gary Campbell took time to recognize the board for the hard work and dedication they give to the district.
He gave each member a framed certificate and admired them for making tough decisions and dedicating their time on behalf of the students.
Campbell followed up the recognition with a State Budget Update.
He explained the State's original plan to cut $92 per student was lowered to $84 per student.
Campbell also said the number could be reduced even more by May.
The future of the driver's education program in Brandywine was also discussed at last night's meeting.
Campbell said the State will no longer provide any funding for the driver's education program and recommended that the district discontinue their program and privatize driver's education.
He said without State assistance, the district would have to charge about the same price as private driver's education programs.
Members of the Board want to have more input on the situation before arriving at a final decision. They want to hear from students and parents and look into some of their other options including possibly facilitating a private program for the students in the summer.
The board also encouraged the public to come to the input session regarding the search for a new superintendent.
They are looking for information on what type of individual the public would like to see fill the position.
The sessions will take place on Wednesday at 4:30 and 7 p.m. in the Brandywine High School library.