Eastmont School Board Selects Member to Fill Vacant Position

The Eastmont School Board has a new member after unanimously selecting Stephen Piccirillo Monday Night.

Piccirillo was one of five finalists interviewed with a number of questions from exisiting board members, and he made light of his age at one point.

"I'm old, there's that," said Piccirillo. "But at the same time, I still have a tremendous heart for service for this community, and the desire to serve in that capacity."

Piccirillo is joining the Eastmont School Board for the second time, having already served as a member between 2011 and 2018.

He edged out the other four finalists - Chad Findlay, Daleynn Chapman, Lisa Skagen and Melinda Anantatmula - to be chosen.  Thirteen people initially applied for the position.

Piccirillo replaces Joy Dawe, who resigned her position in late March, four months into her four-year term.

He'll be sworn in during the board’s June 13 meeting, and serve through 2023, when another election will be held to complete the remainder of Dawe’s term, which expires in 2025.

Dawe’s District 4 position is one of two at-large seats on the five member board, which means the member can live anywhere within school district boundaries.

When she resigned, Assistant Superintendent Matt Charlton said Dawe’s personal situation had changed significantly in the last few months and she and her husband would be moving to another state.

Dawe is among 84 plaintiffs suing Confluence Health, claiming they were wrongfully let go from the health system for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Piccirillo's LinkedIn page says he has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Western Washington University, and a Commissioned Law Enforcement Certificate from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.

During his interview, Piccirillo said he's a former small business owner and was a member of the Seattle Police Department for 12 years.

He said the Eastmont District has almost doubled from the $49 million budget it had during his first run as a board member, 

Piccirillo's LinkedIn page also notes he's a member in good standing and past president of the East Wenatchee Rotary Club.