MORGANTOWN – Shawn Smith will wield the gavel for the next two years as president of the Monongalia County Board of Education.
He’ll replace longtime incumbent Mike Kelly, who nominated him for the position.
Smith, who is midway through his first term, is a Morgantown native and the parent of two daughters in Mon Schools. He’s a fixture at extracurricular events and activities across the district.
Jennifer Caradine, who serves as legal counsel for the school district, administered the oath to Kelly and fellow members Jennifer Hagerty and Dan Berry, all of whom won handily in their bids for reelection during May’s primary race.
Board members also elected Hagerty to serve as vice president of the BOE for another two-year term.
Meanwhile, another familiar face to the district was ceremonially sworn in during the meeting.
Frank Devono, who served 13 years as superintendent of the district, was appointed earlier to fill the seat empty following the resignation of Christina Fattore Morgan this spring – and also raised his hand to fill out the term.
Kelly was also reappointed to his post on the board of Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization, where he’s served for years.
Smith will continue to serve his current appointments on the board of Mylan Park Foundation and as the school district’s representative for WVU Extension’s 4-H effort.
In other matters, the board approved the appointment of a new, full-time position: an HVAC mechanic, who will work a 261-day contract.
The continuity of the evening didn’t just extend to incumbents and former superintendent now in a board member role.
Caradine is also a city native and Mon Schools product who was a student in Berry’s government classes when he was on the faculty of Morgantown High School.
