GIRARD — After serving 17 years on the Girard Board of Education, including as board president, Diane Alejars has submitted her resignation, effective Jan. 10.

The board accepted Alejars’ letter of resignation at the organizational meeting last week.

Alejars said education has been a big part of her life from kindergarten to college, and then for 31 years as a public school teacher and 17 years as a private school teacher.

She said it was a dream since her early 20s to become a member of the board of education.

After her children became adults and following the deaths of her husband, Bob, who ran for city council, and her father, Joseph Christopher, who served as mayor of Girard in the 1990s, she decided to run for public office.

“During my 17 years as a board member, I did my best to be there for the students of Girard. I fought for what I believed in behind closed and open doors. I will never stop fighting for and supporting the Girard city schools and the city of Girard. I bleed red and black,” Alejars said in her resignation letter.

She said she felt it was time to move on, thanking the support she received from the teaching, administrative and support staff of Girard schools and support from her family, friends and the community.

School Superintendent Bryan O’Hara will look for a replacement to fill the unexpired term on the board.

The board’s next regular meeting is set for 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at the high school media center.

In other action at the organizational meeting, the board:

Named Vincent Ragozine as board president and Joseph Caster as vice president.

Made committee liaison appointments: Ragozine to curriculum, labor relations and legislative liaison to the Ohio School Board Association; Castor to athletics / activities; Joseph Datchuk to safety; and Sue Ellen Davis to recognition and representative to the Trumbull Career and Technical Center. A new board member will serve on the facilities committee.

Approved Dr. Paul Rich of Western Reserve Health Education Inc. as school physician for one year through December 2025 at $4,000.

Approved membership in the Ohio School Boards Association with annual dues at $7,274.

Set board meetings for 5 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the high school.