State College school board fills vacancy with new member. Here’s what to know
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- Robb Lauzon will serve an interim two-year term on State College’s school board.
- Lauzon is a district parent and an assistant professor of communications.
- Lauzon said he hopes to amplify the voices of children and young adults as a board member.
The State College Area School District’s board of directors has appointed a new member to serve a two-year term.
District parent Robb Lauzon, an assistant professor of communications at Juniata College, will join the board as an interim member to fill a vacancy left by former board member Gretchen Brandt, who resigned after winning election to the College Township Council. Lauzon will serve on the board until December 2027, when Brandt’s elected term expires.
Lauzon was one of six candidates to provide a presentation and answer questions before the board’s remaining eight members at a special meeting Tuesday. Only three candidates received a nomination toward a final vote for appointing a new interim board member.
While presenting to the board, Lauzon emphasized his desire to amplify the voices of children and young adults and provide them with “the tools they need to create their own future.”
“I am here tonight to represent the children of State College and seek a position on the school board to help shape the learning environments of the future State College district,” Lauzon said. “As digital spaces pervade so much of children’s lives at home and school, I hope to bring a voice that asks us to consider the built environment. This enterprise is animated by a child-centric philosophy that recognizes children as the largest group of disenfranchised members in our political system.”
Lauzon touted his experience as an educator and co-director of Juniata’s Writing and Speech Center. He also volunteers with Soliya, a nonprofit that “seeks to reduce global conflict” through virtual dialogues between “the youth of the West and the predominantly Muslim world.”
Lauzon said his experience with deliberation and transparency would benefit the board. He noted his engagement at “every level of government” and said he studies deliberation academically.
Board member Anne Demo said Lauzon’s commitment to deliberation and child advocacy would benefit the board and complement its members’ skills.
“I think the emphasis on deliberation, your experience with multiple communities, is useful because it brings an expertise with different stakeholders,” Demo said. “I did also appreciate your attention to not just your own child but your child advocacy work, which I think is important and speaks to children who might not be represented.”
Lauzon was one of 14 applicants who contended for a vacant seat on the board in July. Board members recognized him Tuesday for his “consistent engagement” with the district and his balanced experience as a parent, educator, researcher and community advocate.
Lauzon will formally join the board after he is sworn in at its next regular meeting on Jan. 26.
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