Former Mariposa County Unified School District teacher, counselor, principal and administrator Judy Eppler will fill the final year on the District 3 board of trustees seat. The school board chose Eppler after public interviews at its regular meeting last night.

The board first split on the appointment when District 1 representative Janette Gamble moved to accept the appointment of Eppler’s challenger, Jill Harry. Gamble and Board President Eldon Henderson voted in favor of Harry. Joe Cardoso and Kim Forsythe-Allison voted against the motion, leaving it to die for lack of a majority.

Cardoso then moved to accept Eppler as the appointee. Allison second the motion, and the other two members also voted yes.

All four sitting board members expressed how difficult it was to choose between two excellent candidates. Eppler replaces Debbie Peters, who resigned last month, citing increased professional responsibilities.