Farrell school directors will let Mercer County Common Pleas Court pick its newest board member after a 4-4 split vote Monday.

The board was deadlocked in its choice between the daughter of a long-time school board member and a candidate who lost last year's primary election by one vote.

After public interviews and deliberations in front of an at times emotional crowd, school directors Edward D. Zappa, James S. Guerino, Joseph "Peppy" Costa and Larry Manilla voted for Brenda M. Branca, 913 Indiana Ave., the daughter of late school director Rose Marie Branca.

Mrs. Branca died Jan. 1 after serving 26 years on the board as she was about to begin another four-year term, creating the vacancy.

"This has nothing to do with politics. I am not a political person ... I have no hidden agenda or ulterior motive," Ms. Branca said during her closing remarks. "I'm here for my mother. It's as simple as that. She gave 26 years to the board. She thought it was an honor to serve here. I just want to end her legacy. That's all."

Board President Michael Wright, Vice President Lester Robinson Jr. and directors Jerome Flint and Ronald Weston voted for Sadie Benham, 1008 Emerson Ave. Mrs. Benham lost the primary election by one vote and ran a write-in campaign in the general election. She finished 300 votes behind Mrs. Branca.

Mrs. Benham, who is active in the community and in school activities, such as the Parent-Teacher Organization, called herself an "advocate for public education."

"I would like to be part of this team ... I feel this board has a vision," Mrs. Benham said. "I would like to bring Farrell schools to another level."

The four black directors voted for Mrs. Benham, who is black, while the remaining four, who are white, supported Mrs. Branca's daughter.

Others applying were John R. Brown, 1601 Roemer Blvd., and Michelle Sparrow, 1111 Negley St. A fifth, Helena R. Moyer, of 164 Grandview Drive, Wheatland, dropped out before the interviews.

"The issues of our school district have always been of interest to me," Brown said.

"My common goal is to meet the needs to serve our community together to fill the vacancy Mrs. Branca has served," he said. "I will give it my all."

"I think I would bring a lot to the board. I'm dedicated to the education of my children and I am concerned about the other children in the community," Ms. Sparrow said. "My agenda is to come here and talk about education."

After deliberating a second time, directors stood by their votes, in effect leaving the matter to the courts.

School board solicitor James Nevant III said at least 10 residents must petition the courts to take over the task of selecting a new school director. He said he did not know when the new director would be selected.

After the meeting adjourned, members of the audience rushed to sign the request.

Public support was split between the two women.

"I have no quarrel with anybody up there, they are all fine people," said resident Martha Sanders. "But elections speak for the will of the people. I urge each of you to strongly consider Mrs. Benham because she has the voice of the people."

Resident Olive Brown supported Mrs. Benham, pointing out that when Mrs. Benham lost the primary by one vote, she did not contest.

Ms. Branca's niece spoke on behalf of both her aunt and her late grandmother, as did her uncle James Kaikis.

"Any one of these four could do an excellent job, but I keep thinking about Rose Branca. She won the election," Kaikis said. "I believe in order to honor her memory, we should allow Brenda Branca (to fill her seat)."

During the interviews, each candidate was given the opportunity to give opening and closing statements. In between, each board member asked the candidates several questions, ranging from race relations to quality of education to their qualifications.

Before voting, Wright acknowledged that choosing from the four candidates would be difficult.

"No matter what happens today, we've got some good people here. This process will not be simple to us, and it won't be simple to you," he said.

All candidates said they felt they were treated fairly during the process.