The Girard Board of Education appointed Peter D. Cardiero as a new board member at its regular meeting held in December.
Cardiero, who replaces Bill Bell, is the current zoning supervisor for the city as well as a former board member for the district, having served during the early 1970s.
Six people submitted written applications of interest for the vacant position, and five were interviewed by the board.
"It was a tough decision to make,'' said board president Richard Reese. ''Among the five people, we felt that we couldn't go wrong with any of them."
As former board member, Cardiero was instrumental in establishing Girard's baseball and wrestling programs shortly after principal Joseph Cochran was hired in 1973. Cardiero, who called the former longtime principal's hiring "the best move that we ever made in this town," is the father of Jim Cardiero, Girard High School's head wrestling coach.
Bell's resignation was effective Nov. 30. Cardiero will serve in 2013 and is expected to run in the November election for the remaining two years of Bell's term.