York City School Board selects new member

Jose Santiago will fill Beverly Atwater's seat, serving until December 2013.

By ANGIE MASON
Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated: 01/03/2013 04:49:23 PM EST

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York, PA -

The York City School Board on Wednesday chose a city native with experience in management to fill a vacant seat.

The board previously declared Beverly Atwater's seat vacant, saying she no longer lived in the city. The board sought candidates for the empty spot and received interest from two city residents, Warren Bailey and Jose Santiago, who answered questions at Wednesday's special meeting.

Santiago said he was a graduate of city schools and has five children who have attended in the district.

"This is a school district that raised me well," he said.

A U.S. Army veteran and plant/production manager for True Precision Plastics in Lancaster, Santiago said he has business experience that would be beneficial to the board. He said he could help look at where the district could cut costs.

He said he is an advocate for children and wants to see them succeed.

Bailey, a seven-year resident of York, was previously a principal at Logos Academy, a private school where his children attend. He spoke of his experience working in education and said he is passionate when it comes to the success of students.

"You can't live in this city and not care that its school district is successful," he said.

Both Santiago and Bailey said that if they were chosen, they'd seek four-year terms on the board in the next election.

The board unanimously chose Santiago to serve until December 2013.

"I'm ecstatic and ready," Santiago said.

Financial recovery: The board also made appointments to the advisory committee required because the district has been declared in "moderate financial recovery."

School board president Margie Orr and member Jane Hines will be the two board members serving on the committee, and Keith Still, principal of McKinley Elementary School, will serve as the principal representative.

The board approved a list of those on the committee, but the list was not released at the meeting. David Meckley, chief recovery officer, said it should be available Thursday. Orr provided the list after the meeting.

Meckley said the committee will have 20 people, including him. Meetings have not yet been scheduled.

The committee will help Meckley craft a plan for turning around district finances.