Altoona board appoints Dave Francis to two-year seat after candidate interviews
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Summary
After interviewing a field of applicants, the Altoona Area School District board selected Dave (David) Francis in a secret-ballot process and approved his appointment by voice vote; finalists addressed community representation and student supports during follow-up questioning.
The Altoona Area School District board appointed Dave (David) Francis to fill a two-year vacancy on the board following a two-round, secret-ballot interview process on Dec. 2, 2025. Six candidates advanced to interviews; five went on to a second round of questioning before the board cast a final ballot.
Board members first conducted five-minute interviews with a slate of applicants and then used written ballots to identify five finalists. During a second round, the board asked each finalist the same three-minute question: “How would you ensure you represent the whole community and not just one group?” The final tally of the secret ballot gave Mr. Francis six votes, a majority of the board, which led to a subsequent formal motion and voice vote to appoint him to the seat.
Candidates emphasized different qualifications during their initial remarks. Nicole Tannehill, a former high-school guidance counselor, focused on literacy programming, budget transparency and safety training for resource officers; Lorraine Mangan described three decades in the district as a teacher, principal and Title IX coordinator; and Jim Abbott cited long experience as a district principal and administrator. Finalist answers in the second round highlighted outreach and availability (Abbott), a record of community representation (Francis), listening and pragmatic problem solving (Geisshauser), and a focus on special-education supports (Simmons).
Board President (unnamed in the record) thanked all applicants and said the board read and considered each candidate’s letter and presentation. After the final tally was read aloud by the board secretary, the board president moved to approve the appointment; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Mr. Francis then took the vacant seat and the board scheduled his swearing-in.
The appointment completes a midterm vacancy for a two-year term; the board noted that in the next election cycle this two-year seat would be one of several seats on the ballot.
Provenance: The appointment vote and the board’s reading of ballots are recorded in the public transcript. The board secretary read first- and second-round tallies and staff confirmed a remote board member submitted a secure email ballot prior to the final count.