Shaler Area School Board members officially filled the board’s only vacant seat on Feb. 21. The seat was left vacant after the sudden loss of long-time member Tim Gapsky on Jan. 23.

School board president April Kwiatkowski said that four applicants were interviewed for the position. James Burn was approved for the position in a 7-0 vote.

“Thank you so much for your support,” Burn said. “I’m very humbled. Timmy’s been a friend since the ’80s and it’s an honor to come up there and sit where Timmy sat and continue the mission for the district and the area.”

Burn has a 22-year career in public service. He served as mayor of Millvale from 1994 to 2005 and served on the Allegheny County Council from 2006 to 2013, including a term as president in 2011. He also chaired the Millvale Democratic Committee, Allegheny County Democratic Committee and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

Burn works as a veteran benefits attorney and a taekwondo instructor.

Burn took up the position of Region 1 school board director. His term will end in December 2025.

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