MaryJo King has volunteered in just about every aspect you can as a parent and community member. From parent teacher organizations to booster club boards, she has served on them all.

On Tuesday night, King took what she called the next logical step in the volunteer aspect of her career when she was unanimously appointed to the Palmerton Area School District board of directors.

King fills a vacancy created earlier in the evening when the board accepted the resignation of Doris Zellers, who was nearing the end of her first term in December and had not run for re-election.

“I’m excited for the opportunity and I want to thank the community because without their support I wouldn’t have this chance,” King said. “Hopefully I can help make a difference here in the district.”

King ran in the primary election and received the most votes of any candidate, 615, on the Republican side and second most, 459, on the Democrat ticket, just behind incumbent Brandon Mazepa.

When the district has had a vacancy in an election year, it has historically chosen the top vote-getter to fill the seat. Current directors Earl Paules and Stacey Connell both came on the board in that fashion.

“Running for school board is always something I’ve thought about,” King said. “My husband and I are both lifelong members of the community and I’ve always been very active.”

When it comes to her goals, King said she’d like to help the board move in the direction of supporting staff and students more.

“I know we need to have a fiscal responsibility to the community, but we are here in large part for the staff and students,” she said. “If you’re spending wisely while supporting and staff, you can justify those expenditures.”