Local attorney picked for Medina school board

MEDINA — Local attorney Aaron Harrison was selected from a field of 11 candidates Thursday at a special meeting at Medina High School for the open spot on the school board. Harrison, 40, was approved 3-1 in a vote of board members, as Becky Parkhurst voted against him. She said she had favored another candidate. Board members interviewed the three finalists for the job a second time Thursday. It deliberated for a while then announced its selection. Harrison said he was standing in line at Lemonberry Frozen Yogurt on the square with his two children when the call came in. He came back to the Professional Development Center and was sworn in by Medina Superintendent Aaron Sable to be ready for the next board meeting Aug. 9. "I had been planning to run for the school board this fall," he said. Harrison will fill the open seat left vacant by Brian Hilberg, who resigned June 28, through the end of this calendar year. There will be a special election Nov. 2 for Hilberg's unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2024. He said he already has turned in his paperwork to run for one of the four-year terms on the board that will be open in 2022. President Rob Skidmore and board members Valerie Pavlik and Parkhurt's terms are up at the end of this year. Harrison is a licensed attorney at Harrison Law Offices, 315 E. Washington St., Medina, and was on the Medina City Schools Foundation board for four years, including as a past president. "Public education is very important to me," he said. "This is an opportunity to become more involved." His wife, Kelly, is an art teacher in Brunswick. She was painting on the square for Arts Week. The couple have two children, Lincoln, 9, and Lucille, 7. "This process has been a good one," Skidmore said. "We had a lot of good discussions with all of the candidates. The caliber of the candidates was very good. It was a very difficult (decision). There were so many good candidates." Parkhurst said by having 11 strong candidates, "it shows that people care about our district." "We do appreciate everyone's willingness. It's not something we take lightly. We will work to continue the goals of the district." Sable said he'd invite Harrison on a tour of the district soon and to meet the administration. "I'm looking forward to getting started," Harrison said. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.