LIBERTY — The Board of Education appointed a new board member to fill a vacant seat at its Monday meeting at Liberty High School.

Hans Kirr will finish a four-year term left open by Christopher Brookbank, whose resignation was accepted by the board last week.

“We felt that he was the most qualified for the position and what we need for the district,” board President David Malone said following Monday’s meeting.

Kirr was not in attendance.

Because of Brookbank’s unexpired term, the board had to appoint a resident to fill the vacated seat for two years of the current four-year term.

The following individuals also submitted letters of interest to Treasurer Maureen Lloyd: Eric Chevlen, Jeremiah Ferrara, Joseph P. Lyons, John “Jack” Simon and Beth Russell.

In his letter, the lifelong township resident stated he was a graduate of Liberty High School Class of 1984 and coached Liberty youth wrestling for the past eight years.

Kirr said he is a physical therapist who has managed the physical therapy department at St. Joseph Warren Hospital for 31 years.

“I love this community and this school,” he wrote. “I have dug my heels in and committed to making this place my home, the best it could be.

“The question of how to create the best possible school system, I believe, starts with the superintendent and the culture created by the superintendent. We need a culture of everyone working together for the common goals of educating and developing our children.”

He noted that his children graduated from Liberty in 2011 and 2016.

The board met in an executive session and returned to make the decision. Kirr’s selection was approved unanimously.

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