The Warren County R-III School District filled its board vacancy during its monthly meeting on July 13. The board approved the appointment of Dr. Chad Smith through a 5-0 vote, with presiding member Laurie Wenzel absent. He was sworn in and immediately seated on the board for the remainder of the session.Smith was selected from a pool of five candidates who applied to replace the resigned John Bradshaw. Other applicants were John Cornell, Lyndsey DeGraaf, Jim Sharp and Sheri Vogt. All participated in open interviews during a special session on June 28. Smith will serve through April 2018, when the position will be up for election.Board President John Clinger says the selection panel liked the responses Smith provided during the interview process along with his level of professionalism. “He’s involved in the community and local business with having a practice here in town,” said Clinger. “He has a wide range of professional experiences, including serving in the Navy.”Clinger cited that the board has been criticized for being comprised heavily of current or former educators. The selection panel felt Smith was a strong advocate for school excellence and knowledgeable in what can be done to make the school a better academic place, while not being within the education system.Smith is a family practitioner in Warrenton. He is involved in the Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, Leadership team at First Baptist Wentzville and Upward Sports Ministry and a coach for youth sports. He is originally from Oak Grove and is a graduate of Truman State University before attending medical school at Des Moines University. He moved to the Warrenton area in 2004.Clinger says the next year will be a pivotal time for the school board as it moves forward with the search for a new superintendent.Dr. Chad Smith