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 Thursday.

During her public interview, Eppler explained her 46 years in public education. “I have all this experience,” she said. “It would be remiss of me not to use that.”

Candidate Jill Harry told the board of her commitment to education in Mariposa County, as evidenced by her extensive volunteer work with Cathey’s Valley Elementary and First 5 of Mariposa County.

The board first split on the appointment when District 1 representative Janette Gamble moved to accept the appointment of Harry. Gamble said that Harry might be the better choice because of all the current and prospective board members, she was the only one who hadn’t worked for or had a family member work for the district.

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.

Gamble said the district found itself in an unusal, albeit fortunate situation. “We have two outstanding candidates,” she said, “which doesn’t always happen. Both are definitely qualified.”

Eppler will take the seat at the board’s regular meeting in January. The term she is filling ends in December, 2010.

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