The Kennett School Board selected Don Kohler to fill the Region B (New Garden) unexpired term of Joe Meola, who resigned in September.

At the Oct. 11 meeting, the board voted by five to three votes to select Kohler to fill the vacancy.

Another candidate, Lynn Golden-Mirarchi, received the three other votes.

Kohler is a lawyer whose practice is in West Chester. Two of his children are currently students in the Kennett schools, and one is a graduate of Kennett. All his children, he said, have had positive experiences there.

Kohler, 54, grew up in Philadelphia and attended Archbishop Ryan High School for Boys. That high school later merged with Archbishop Ryan High School for Girls in 1989 to become one, according to its website.

He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a major in liberal arts and political science. He earned his law degree at Widener University School of Law.

Kohler said he applied for the school board position because “I want to make a difference.”

His term on the school board will expire in December of 2023. In total, there were six applicants for the unexpired board position, and several board members said they were impressed with the qualifications and passion of all who expressed an interest in the post.

Kohler has lived in New Garden for 18 years, and prior to that he lived in Delaware. He said he enjoys outdoor activities.

In other business at the meeting, the board selected Breslin Architects to provide the designs for the coming renovations of New Garden and Greenwood elementary schools.

Superintendent Dusty Blakey announced that the incidence of COVID-19 is up slightly in Chester County and the district. At last count were eight students and three staff in the district schools who had tested positive.

Blakey added that he has no plans to ‘go backward” with precautions or closings of schools. He said he is encouraged that there are many activities outside during the Homecoming celebrations on Oct. 15 and 16.