The Warren County R-III Board of Education unanimously voted to appoint former board vice president Scott Costello to an open position on the school board. The decision came after one-on-one interviews with two candidates during a special meeting,In addition to Costello, the board interviewed Laurie Wenzel, a Warrenton resident who is director of early childhood development for the Pattonville School District.Costello earlier had resigned from the school board to run for Ward 2 alderman in April’s municipal election, a bid he lost to Gary Auch. He fills a vacancy created by board member Lisa Waltrip, who resigned last month citing other pressing time commitments. Her term was to end in April 2014. Costello will serve until that time.Two Choices With Common Concern for SchoolAsked about his relevant qualifications for the position during his interview, Costello talked about his longtime roots in the community and past experience on the school board along with other volunteer positions in local organizations. He is currently president of the Warrenton Chamber of Commerce.“When I became aware of the vacancy, I felt like the time I spent on the board has helped prepare me and help me understand the school,” Costello said, underscoring that he has already undergone the state’s required certified board member program.“I believe it is the collective experience, knowledge and judgment that each board member brings that allows good decisions to be made to move the district in a positive direction,” said Costello. “Ultimately, if all board members are doing their job as well as they can and the decisions are right, it’s the kids who will benefit most.”Asked about the most urgent needs of the district, Costello acknowledged the school’s slip in student achievement, which was highlighted later in the meeting in a PowerPoint presentation of state test trend data from administrators.He said he is confident that with new leadership in place in the central office, the right measures are being taken to remedy the situation.In closing, Costello underscored his collaborative focus and track record in working with other members of the board, even through disagreements.During her interview, Wenzel said a desire to serve her community drove her to apply for the position.“I love Warrenton, and my belief is that a stronger school district builds a stronger community, and a stronger Warrenton builds a stronger school district,” Wenzel said.She talked about her passion as an educator, telling the board she started out as a special education teacher in the St. Louis County Special School District, then went on to get her master’s degree in education administration. Before her current position at Pattonville, where she directs a program staffed by 65 people, she was an elementary principal for seven years. Before that she was an assistant principal in the Valley Park district.“I love seeing a school district, the kids and community move forward, and I’ve been blessed to be able to see that at Pattonville,” Wenzel said.“My hope and my dream for Warrenton is that the school district is the heartbeat of the community, and that everybody is focused on the same thing in moving the school and community forward,” said Wenzel.She and Costello agreed that finding ways to keep good teachers is a priority. Wenzel said she had been through a study that analyzed student achievement, and learned that the No. 1 negative influence on achievement is change.“It’s hard to build stability when you have a lot of change in teachers and administrators,” she said.Wenzel said she would make it a priority to quickly get up to speed to contribute to the board.“I hope I can help bring a broader perspective to conversations we have as a board,” said Wenzel. “Having worked in four school districts, I hope I can bring (in successful ideas) to help us think outside of what we know.”After the interviews closed, the board voted during a separate open board meeting.Board Secretary Jan Sutherland made the motion to accept Costello for the vacant position, citing Costello’s experience which she said she believed would enable him to contribute most in the remaining seven months of the term. Member John Bradshaw seconded the motion, which was passed 6-0.R-III Board Votes for Return of Costello