Mad River school board selects new member
Jan. 18—The Mad River Local Schools board of education has approved a new member.
Mitch Lambert was appointed Thursday night to fill the vacancy created when it was announced earlier this month that longtime member Cristina Pickle had resigned.
He is expected to be sworn in at the board's meeting Monday night, according to the district.
Lambert, 48, was one of four finalists interviewed by the board Thursday night in a special meeting executive session. Others included Amy Cooper, Beverly Sherwood and Terrance Tolbert.
Lambert said he is "very excited" for the position.
"What I'm hoping to accomplish in this role is simple: to keep up with the ever changing needs of education, so our staff can provide students with the most up to date knowledge to be successful in their future endeavors," he said.
Lambert said he knows the other candidates personally, and appreciates the work they do for the schools and community.
Lambert owns a transportation logistics business. He is a lifelong Riverside resident and a 1994 Stebbins High School graduate who is pursuing a bachelor's degree from Wright State University. He serves as treasurer of the Stebbins alumni association.
The new school board member has coached football at the pee wee level for seven years and two years at Mad River Middle School while volunteering in various ways with Stebbins athletics. He stressed his community involvement would be a asset for the board.
"I am well known throughout the community and respected," he said in his letter. "Wherever I am at, you will see me always talking to somebody."
Lambert said he would be available at basketball and football games, as well as out and about in the community, to talk to anyone who wants to speak with him.
Eight candidates sent letters of interest before last week's deadline, district records show. Lambert is expected to serve the remainder of the term, which is set to expire at the end of 2025.
Pickle served 29 years — several of them as president or vice president — before her resignation was announced earlier this month.
