Shawnee school board fills vacancy

SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP - A Shawnee schools parent with a background in finances will take over the vacant seat on the district's school board.

Linda Haycock, business manager at the Haycock Foot and Ankle Center, will serve the final year of Ann Jacob's seat. Jacobs was elected in November to the state school board.

"I've always had an interest in the schools," said Haycock, who has four children. "I'm very happy to work for the schools. It has always been a dear thing to me."

Eleven people applied for the position. The board also interviewed Shawnee parents Mike Thomas, Dennis Hoffman and Dr. Matt Zicardi.

"We were very pleasantly surprised by the number of people interested in the position," said Ellen Rovner, who is serving as president until next week's organizational meeting.

The board was impressed with Haycock's involvement with the district, Rovner said, especially her work on levy campaigns.

"I think she is going to be a great addition to the board," she added.

Haycock will be sworn in at Tuesday's board meeting. If she wants to remain on the board, she will have to run in November. She has not made that decision yet.

Haycock runs the finance and business side of her husband's business. She hopes for a smooth transition and says she is ready to get learning.

"I've had some familiarity with some of the things the school has done and what the school board has been doing," she said. "This is a great opportunity to help the school district out."