Renton School Board selects new member

Todd Franceschina will replace board veteran Joy Poff who moved out of the district.

RENTON, Wash. July 13, 2006 — The Renton School Board at their meeting on Wednesday night selected Todd Franceschina to replace Joy Poff who resigned her directorship on June 30 after moving outside of school district boundaries.

Poff had served on the school board for nearly 20 years, being elected five times to serve Director District 1.

Board members interviewed four candidates for the position at an open meeting on June 29 and deliberated at Wednesday’s regular meeting about the characteristics and attributes of each candidate.

All of the candidates were qualified and offered exceptional qualities, said board members. The board decided Franceschina was the person who best fit the needs of families and citizens in Director District 1, which represents Campbell Hill and Talbot Hill elementary schools, Nelsen Middle School and Black River High School.

Franceschina has two daughters who attend Renton schools. He also attended Renton schools, graduating in 1986 from Renton High School. Franceschina has an MBA from Seattle University and currently works as a development and asset manager in commercial real estate.

In his application to the board, Franceschina said he grew up in Renton, went to Renton schools, and “want to give his daughters, as well as other children in Renton, the best public education possible to prepare them for the future. I can not think of a better way to serve my community than to serve on the Renton School District Board of Directors.”

Franceschina will be sworn in at the July 26 board meeting, serving through the fall of 2007—Poff’s remaining term. Franceschina will then have to run to be elected to the position.