If handed the task of appointing someone to a Butler School Board vacancy, it would be best if county President Judge Thomas Doerr appointed an independent thinker — someone who will not strictly align himself or herself with either of the board’s two factions.

Tuesday’s board meeting, at which the eight school directors failed to fill the vacancy, removed any doubt residents might have about the board breaking into two factions.

One faction consists mostly of members of the former board, while the other includes four of the five new members elected in November on what amounted to a platform for change.

One of the two people nominated for the vacancy on Tuesday, Helene Abramowitz, would have — if she had won appointment — likely aligned with remaining members of the former board — John Conrad, Linda Patten and Paula Opalka — plus newcomer Carmen Bianco.

Had the other nominated candidate, Ben Holland, a fiscal conservative, been successful in his bid for appointment, he would be expected to align himself with new directors Don Pringle, Karen Callihan, Bill Halle and Jim Keffalas. Those four campaigned on tougher spending controls to reduce the need for tax increases.

Abramowitz was defeated for re-election in November. She was the lowest vote-getter of the six people on the ballot.

Holland left the board in December after choosing not to seek re-election — but had a change of heart following Joe Wiest’s resignation. Wiest’s departure is due to his election as a Butler Township commissioner in November.

Former board member Arthur Haag, who was defeated for re-election in last year’s spring primary, also had applied to become Wiest’s replacement, but was not nominated Tuesday. Also failing to be nominated was Ann LeMay, Wiest’s sister.

If the board cannot reach a consensus on Wiest’s replacement by Wednesday, a petition signed by 10 district residents will put Doerr in charge of filling the vacancy. Doerr might do the district a favor by not opting for any of the currently announced candidates.

It’s time for independent thinkers resistant to factionalism — and with the time and commitment to quality education that the position requires — to step forward.

Regardless, as noted by district solicitor Tom King, the judge may select anyone he chooses.

As part of the judge’s selection process, if it occurs, he should conduct face-to-face interviews to gauge the qualifications and thinking of the applicants.

The Butler School District is a big school system from which a strong pool of new candidates should be available.

Whoever the new board member, that person should resist siding consistently with either school board bloc. Likewise, he or she should not be a rubber stamp for administration requests.

All of those requests should be subjected to the scrutiny and discussion that the taxpayers’ best interests require.

If he has to make the appointment, Doerr will determine the board’s direction, at least until the term of the vacancy expires in December 2013.