The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has appointed Jim Schmidt to fill a vacancy on the Board that was created when Dr. Ferrell Miller recently resigned.

Schmidt, who was an active member of the JCHS Way Forward Steering Committee that studied and made recommendations on the new high school, will officially become a member of the Board once he is sworn in by Geary County Clerk Rebecca Nordyke.

Schmidt said Monday night he was humbled by the appointment. “Honored, looking forward to getting started…start drinking from the fire hose. ”

He also worked on a campaign committee to promote passage of a bond issue to help secure state aid to fund a portion of the new high school. His familiarity with that project should help as the planning work continues. “It does, it does. Very blessed to have a great group of folks on the steering committee and the campaign. Looking forward to seeing that through to fruition.”

Parental involvement in their children’s school activities will be another priority for Schmidt.

The other applicants for the Board position included Keith Brian Brown and Heinrich Biggs. All three of the applicants were interviewed Monday night by the Board before they announced their final decision.