FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLMSTED FALLS BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTS PHIL ECKENRODE TO FILL VACANT SEAT

Eckenrode Sworn in as Newest Board Member at October Monthly Meeting 

Olmsted Falls, OH - October 22, 2020 - The Olmsted Falls Board of Education voted unanimously this week to appoint Mr. Phil Eckenrode to fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of a board member earlier this month.  Mr. Eckenrode was formally sworn into office to officially begin his service at the regular monthly meeting of the Olmsted Falls Board of Education on Thursday, October 22, 2020. He was one of seven applicants interviewed this week for appointment to the vacant seat.

“The board is excited to welcome Mr. Eckenrode,” said Board of Education President Holly Neumann.  “Phil brings many strengths we look for in a board member including critical thinking skills, problem-solving ability, questioning and collaboration.”

“During his interview Mr. Eckenrode spoke about his passion for learning and his desire to embrace new learning opportunities,” added Neumann.  “Our district mission statement centers on empowering our students to be life-long learners, and Mr. Eckenrode exemplified that himself during our interview, making him a good fit for this appointment.”

The Board of Education followed a very specific format and timeline dictated by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) as well as its own board policies to fill the vacant seat, which was created by the resignation of long-time board member Joseph Bertrand earlier this month.  A total of seven community members submitted letters of interest outlining their qualifications following the publicized deadline of October 13, 2020.  Interviews of all seven candidates took place on Monday, October 19th.  Deliberation on the candidates immediately followed the interviews, with the board unanimously voting to appoint Mr. Phil Eckenrode to fill the vacant seat.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our students and community,” said Mr. Eckenrode. “Our family has witnessed first-hand the value that an OFCSD education brings, and I am excited to be a part of continuing to deliver on the promises of our Triple A district.”

Eckenrode holds a degree in political science from Kent State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Mortiz College of Law at The Ohio State University.  He currently serves as the General Counsel of the Prince & Izant Company, a manufacturer of brazing and other metal joining products. Phil and his wife Melissa have resided in Olmsted Township with their two children,  Joey (5th) and Ben (2nd), since 2016, having moved here for our schools.

“Phil appears eager to roll up his sleeves and jump into the work and we look forward to that,” said Neumann.

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Media Contact:

Kim Petrina, Director of Communications

kpetrina@ofcs.net / 440.427.6020