Panther Valley School Board members chose a familiar face to fill a vacancy on the board.

Board members voted unanimously Monday night to select Renee DeMelfi to serve a two-year term which runs until December 2021.

During the recent municipal election, newcomer Marco D’Ancona won both a two-year and four-year seat on the board. He chose to serve the four-year term, leaving a vacancy.

Following its reorganization meeting on Dec. 5, the board sought letters of interest from the community. DeMelfi was the only person who submitted a letter.

She previously served on the board from 2015-2019. Throughout that time she served as board secretary. She lost her bid for another term in November.

She said Monday night that she was pleased with the outcome.

“I’d like to thank everyone who continuously supported me,” DeMelfi said.

At the reorganization meeting, the board deadlocked when they tried to vote on a candidate to fill the seat. Four members voted for DeMelfi and four voted for Wayne Gryzik, another former board member.

In her letter of interest, DeMelfi said her dedication to the district goes beyond her time on the board.

DeMelfi has been active with the school’s Good News Bible Club for six years. She also volunteered to paint the interior of the Junior-Senior High School.

She said that during her time on the board, she has strived to respect all individuals and their positions, and brought no hidden agenda.

“I feel I have the ability to hear differences of opinions without belittling other board members and/or staff as shown by my actions over the last 4 years on the board,” DeMelfi said in her letter.