Feb 13, 2017 By Harry Funk 2 min read

From a field of five finalists, Daniel Taylor emerged as the new member of Peters Township School Board.

He was sworn in following a vote at a Feb. 13 special meeting to replace Sue Smith, who resigned in January. The term expires the first Monday of December, and if Taylor wants to retain the seat, he must win re-election this year.

A township resident since 2006, he is the father of a 2014 Peters Township High School graduate and has three more children still in the district.

“My kids have gotten a really good benefit from this district, and I want to have a chance to give something back to the community,” he said about seeking the position.

The board, which had 30 days to fill Smith’s seat before the appointment could have been made by a Washington County judge, met with an initial group of applicants Feb. 6 and invited five to return the following week.

From those applicants, Taylor and former school board member Sandy Gregg received nominations. Taylor then received six of the eight votes cast, with William Merrell and Jamison Hardy favoring Gregg.

“Honestly, we thought one, maybe two people would apply for the position,” board member Lisa Anderson said. “I’m just floored with the response. I’m floored with everyone’s passions, interests, qualifications.”

Taylor is chief operating officer at All-Clad Metalcrafters in Cecil Township and earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

He expressed an interest in serving on the school board’s personnel committee.

“The people are who teach our children,” he said. “The people are who make the decisions to move this school district forward. And I believe that is one of the things that you have to really focus on, is making sure that you have the proper people in the proper positions.”

Swearing in Taylor was Thomas McMurray, board president, who is a notary public.