The Goshen Board of Education would like to announce that Mrs. Deborah Gray was unanimously appointed to fill the vacancy left by the unexpected passing of veteran board member Sue Steele.

“Although we continue to mourn the loss of Mrs. Steele, the Board of Education is confident that Mrs. Gray is the perfect fit for the position. Her love of the Goshen community and her background in education lend themselves to stepping into the role of board member during a very busy time in our community and in the world of education,” Darrell Edwards said in a statement “She is committed to our district and our community and the four board members unanimously agreed on having Mrs. Gray join the Board of Education.”

Mrs. Gray is a 2001 graduate of Goshen High School. She and her husband Joe have two daughters, Evalyn (grade 2) and Lauren (grade 4) attending Goshen Local Schools.

Mrs. Gray has fulfilled several roles within our community, including Vice President of the Goshen Education Foundation, member of the Business Advisory Council and Facilities Committee and a member of the Goshen Youth Basketball Board. Mrs. Gray is the daughter of George and Louisa Rise. The Rises are both retired Goshen educators and Mr. Rise is a retired Board of Education member, ending his tenure in 2015.

Mrs. Gray has a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilmington College where she majored in Sports Administration with a minor in Business Administration and Marketing. She also has a Master of Education from Xavier University. Deborah has worked at the University of Cincinnati since 2006 where she has held many leadership roles. Her current position is the Director of Retention Services in the College of Nursing.

Mrs. Gray said, “I am extremely honored to be considered for the appointment to the board and understand the dedication the position requires. Growing up with parents in the field of education and working in higher education, I feel I have a true sense of what being a board member means, and I am proud to be serving a community that has given me so much.”

Under election and state law the final two years of Mrs. Steele’s term will be up for election in November 2019. Mrs. Gray said, “ I fully intend on running for election to fulfill Mrs. Steele’s unexpired term. Mrs. Steele bleed red and gray, and I will do everything in my power to continue her mission of always doing what is best for the school children of Goshen Local Schools.” Board of Education members, John Benthien, Julie Casey, John Gray and Tom Bixler said “ We look forward to Mrs. Gray joining the board and believe she will fit in perfectly and will work to maintain Goshen’s tradition of excellence.”

Mrs. Gray will be sworn in at the May 20, 2019 regular Board of Education meeting held at the Goshen High School Community Room at 7:00 p.m.