CHERRY TWP — On Tuesday Linda Dillaman was selected by the Moniteau School Board to fill the vacancy on that board.

Dillaman will serve until the first week of December to complete the term of George Pry, who resigned on Aug. 12. He served nearly four years on the board.

Other candidates interviewed in Tuesday’s public meeting were Stacy Armagost and Ann Marie Hepler.

Dillaman, who was elected by a unanimous vote, will be sworn in at the Monday board meeting.

“Education-wise, I think she is the best person for the job,” said board member Roy Peffer.

“We will appreciate her time and effort,” said board member Trixie Heck, “and we appreciated the others coming to interview.”

Dillaman is on the election ballot and will have the opportunity to continue on the board if elected in November.

“In May, she won on both the Republican and Democratic tickets,” said board President Melissa DeMatteis. “Originally the vote was reported as a tie on the Democratic side but the solicitor told me today that there was a write-in vote that made it official.”

Incumbent board members Joann Duke, Heck and Michael Panza also will run on the Republican and Democratic ballots in November. Four people will be elected.

Dillaman taught special education and English for grades 9 to 12 in the Slippery Rock School District and retired in 2005 after 35 years. Since then she has been a substitute teacher for special education and English in the Moniteau district.

Dillaman has lived in the district since 1978. Her children and grandchildren have attended Moniteau schools.

Dillaman believes her educational experience will help the board with selecting new teachers.

“I have worked with a lot of people,” said Dillaman. “I think I can ask the right questions.”

Dillaman is an advocate for vocational education. Inclusion and harmony are among her values.

“Everyone — the administration, faculty, staff and school board — has to be appreciated. The better they all work together, the better the whole school district,” Dillaman said.

In addition to safety and budget, Dillaman cited curriculum as an important issue. She noted the importance of a well-rounded curriculum that includes classes such as media, technology, consumer sciences and art.

“We are here with the same goal: to provide the very best for the students, all of them,” said Dillaman. “You don’t have an ax to grind.”