After multi-round interviews, Plymouth-Canton board appoints Joe Tolleson to fill vacant seat

After two rounds of interviews and a board tally, the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education appointed Joe Tolleson to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Cheryl Picard. The appointment was effective July 9, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026 and the board voted to approve the resolution (action item 27-07-06).

Tolleson, who told the board he has spent the past year attending board and subcommittee meetings and working with community organizations, said he entered the process months earlier and was ready to "bring the same commitment, preparation, and hard work to keeping PCCS the district families choose." He described his background in youth advocacy and workforce-development nonprofit work and said the experience prepared him to advocate for all students.

Board members conducted a two-stage interview process. In the first round each candidate answered three questions about qualifications, board responsibilities and district challenges; after tallying scores the board selected three finalists to return for a longer second round of questions on governance, equity and the district's dynamic plan. The top candidate after final scoring, Tolleson, was invited to the dais, sworn in by Superintendent Monica Merrick and the board voted to appoint him to the seat.

President Anupam Chuk Sidhu thanked all applicants and encouraged those not selected to participate in board subcommittees. The board emphasized the need for candidate engagement in upcoming district outreach for the sinking fund ballot measure and other initiatives.

The resolution to appoint Tolleson was approved in a recorded voice vote; the meeting record shows the vote carried with no opposition (motion recorded as 6-0).