A former Ross commissioner was chosen to fill a vacancy on the North Hills School Board.
The board voted 8-0 at a special meeting July 13 to appoint Joe Laslavic to replace Anthony Hall, who died on June 18. Hall was in his first term on the board after winning election in November.
Laslavaic was sworn in on July 14.
Laslavic was among 13 who had applied for the appointment. The board interviewed nine of the applicants.
Laslavic was a commissioner representing Ross’s fourth ward for two four-year terms, from 2018 through 2025. He did not seek re-election in 2025, and the seat is now held by Dwayne Lee Allen.
Laslavic, 48, is an English teacher at Shaler Area High School. His daughter, Gia, 14, will be a freshman at North Hills High School this fall and his son, Dante, 10, will be in fifth grade at Highcliff Elementary.
“We appreciate the tremendous interest shown by everyone who applied for this important role and thank each candidate for their willingness to serve our community,” board President Allison Mathis said. “Mr. Laslavic brings valuable experience in both education and public service, and we look forward to working with him as we continue making decisions that support the success of our students.”
In his 22nd year at Shaler Area, Laslavic said his life has been centered on public education.
“To me, the greatest investment we can make is in our children and their growth,” he said. “I look forward to working with such a strong group of people, the school board directors, in helping to facilitate that growth of each kid through our district.”
Laslavic said he’ll also keep in mind the wants and needs of the community’s stakeholders, especially seniors.
“They are our partners in facilitating this growth of the kids in our district. It’s important to make sure they’re heard too,” he said. “Public education is a team effort. Every one of us has a role in this.”
The other eight applicants interviewed were Elizabeth Nease, Brooke Meininger, Daniel Derby, Dustin Weber, Martell McDuffy, Nicole Eljoufri, Matthew Harvey and Jessica Price.
Applicants not interviewed were Peter Mathis, Susan Rua, Jennifer O’Brien, and Daryl Boling.
Laslavic will serve on the board through December 7, 2027. The seat will appear on the 2027 school board election ballot, with the successful candidate serving the remaining two years of Hall’s original term through December 2029.
To return the seat to its regular election cycle, it will appear on the 2029 ballot for a full four-year term beginning in December 2029.