TURNERS FALLS — Michael Langknecht will return to the Gill-Montague Regional School Committee.
After a month-long hiatus, the former chairman of the committee was appointed by the board to fill the seat of Marjorie Levenson, who resigned last month due to family illness.
The committee approved the vote 6-1 after a nomination process. Both Langknecht and Joyce Philips submitted letters of intent. Members Christina Postera, Heather Katsoulis, Leslie Cogswell, Cassie Damkoehler, April Reipold and chairwoman Timmie Smith voted for Langknecht.
Jane Oakes was not present on Tuesday and Shawn Hubert voted for Philips.
Langknecht joined the meeting after shaking hands with Philips, who congratulated him.
“I would like to thank both Mike and Joyce in their interest in the work and process of educating our children,” Smith said.
Both Langknecht and Philips had prior experience on the board.
He will now hold Levenson’s seat until the next Montague town election, where he can choose to run for the duration of the seat, which would end in the May of 2019.
Langknecht was the chairman until the May 15 town election, where he lost his seat to newcomer Damkoehler.
“We didn’t even have to pay for a new name placard,” Reipold said jokingly when Langknecht rejoined the table.
Addressing the board, he said that beyond the duty he feels to the residents and students, he wanted to thank the board for their votes and show them they made a good choice.
“To prove to you guys that your support was well placed,” he said.
Reach Miranda Davis at 413-772-0261, ext. 280 or mdavis@recorder.com.