Backer elected Franklin School Board president

Sabrina Backer was unanimously elected president of the Franklin School Board at the panel’s reorganization meeting Wednesday night.

Backer was nominated by board member Ronald Richburg and seconded by new member Ben Andrews.

She had served as the board’s vice president since 2016, when she replaced Randy Seitz in that role.

Backer takes over for Brian Spaid as board president. Spaid, who had been president since 2010, chose not to seek re-election to the board this year.

Andy Boland was unanimously elected board vice president. He was nominated by Misty Nalepa and seconded by Andrews.

Two new board members — Andrews and Alesha Hartsfield — took their oaths of office Wednesday along with incumbent member Ron Richburg.

Those three and incumbent Tracey Leyda were elected to board seats in November. Leyda was absent Wednesday.

Hartsfield waged a write-in campaign to join the board as Leyda, Andrews, and Richburg were the only candidates listed for four open seats.