The opening for position four on the Board of Education could not have come at a better time for Board member Danielle Heikes.

“I was not interested in the previous election process because I was extremely pregnant with our third daughter, so that was kind of out of the question for me at that time,” Heikes said. “The timing really seemed right for me.”

Heikes applied for the position on the Board after its previous holder, Scott Hancock, was recalled in August. She was ultimately selected to fill the position from 10 applicants after a 5-1 vote at a special Board meeting in October.

“I just really felt like I could contribute to the district at this level and give back to the great students and teachers of our district and help maintain the reputation of excellence that we are so well known for,” Heikes said.

Board president Angela Handy voted to appoint Heikes to the Board. Handy said Heikes’ sincerity set her apart.

“I just love Danielle’s personality,” Handy said. “Getting up there, I felt like she was truly speaking from her heart.”

As a Board member, Heikes said she would prioritize what benefits students. However, she called teachers a “close second.” So, she said she would like to work toward better retaining the district’s teachers.

“My children have had amazing teachers, and I’ve heard stories from parents far and wide in the district of the amazing teachers that are part of this district, and I want to keep that momentum going with our teachers,” Heikes said.

In addition to helping students and teachers, Heikes said she wants to clarify the district’s path for the future.

“I’d also love to see a roadmap — a vision — laid out for our district for the next 10-20 years,” Heikes said. “Something that we can build on, something that we can track back to.”

Handy said she looks forward to Heikes being a “cheerleader” for the district while on the Board.

“She’s one that I want to see sitting up here, you know,” Handy said. “Even when I’m not here, I could definitely say she’s one that I would want to see sitting up on one of these seats, cheering this district on.”

Heikes served her first Board meeting Monday, Nov. 2, and will complete position four’s unfinished term through 2018. She said she looks forward to learning about being a Board member and finishing the term.

“I’m excited,” Heikes said. “I’m excited to learn the process. You know, I have a steep learning curve — I think any new Board member does — but I’m excited to serve alongside the current Board.”