Open board seat temporarily filled for Merced City school board

Michael Crass will fill the seat for Area One on the Merced City School District governing board.

The board unanimously voted for Crass during a special meeting Tuesday night after interviewing him and three other candidates in open session, according to a news release from the school district. The seat was left vacant when former board member Darrell Cherf resigned on April 5.

Susan Walsh, the board’s president, thanked the candidates for their willingness to serve on the school board, and Superintendent RoseMary Parga Duran administered the oath of office to Crass.

Crass has logged more than 40 years in education as a teacher and administrator. He served as superintendent of the Winton School District for more than 15 years until 2010. Most recently, he was the superintendent of the Mendota Unified School District, where he retired in March. He currently works as a consultant.

The provisional appointment will become an effective appointment unless a petition calling for a special election is filed in the office of the county superintendent within 30 days. If no petition is filed, the seat will be open again during the November 2016 election. Crass will have the opportunity to run for the position, along with anyone else who qualifies.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Open board seat temporarily filled for Merced City school board."