A 1989 graduate of Ellsworth High School is the newest member of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School District board of education.

Steve Shepherd was appointed to the board Monday night to fill the seat vacated by long-time member Darin Holecek, who resigned several weeks ago.

Shepherd will represent District 1, which covers west and a portion of northwest Ellsworth. The only other candidate for the job did not live within the district and, therefore, was ineligible.

He will finish Holecek’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2023.

Board members took turns questioning Shepherd, who also attended Kansas State University and worked in sales and started his own painting company before returning to Ellsworth in 2014 to care for a parent.

He is the father of an incoming freshman and 7th grader.

“I wanted to raise my kids in Ellsworth County, where I was raised,” Shepherd said. “I’m right where I want to be.”

Shepherd, who works at Cashco, praised the local school system and said his goal as a board member would be to make sure district students receive a proper education.

“We just want to have our kids prepared to walk through the doors and into the world,” he said.

Monday night’s meeting — the final one of the school year — only lasted about 30 minutes. Other business included:

• Board members rescinded a motion to award a bid for a new gym floor because materials will be unavailable until late July. Board president Cynthia Edgerle said the district has the bid for $85,178 in writing and it will be included in the budget for next school year.

• District mileage reimbursement was increased from 37 cents to 47 cents.

• Mark Compton is a new junior high school assistant basketball coach; Tyler Gibbs will teach senior/junior high school physical education.