Farrell Area School District filed a petition with Mercer County Court Friday asking the court to fill the seat vacated by the death of Rose Marie Branca.

Farrell school board members deadlocked on choices to fill the position Monday, necessitating the petition.

Court Administrator Pete Morrin said he received the petition but has not been able to discuss it with Francis J. Fornelli, president judge of Common Pleas Court.

The process for the judges to choose a new school board member likely will be the same as they used to fill a county commissioner seat late last year, and a Sharon City School Board seat several years ago, Morrin said.

An advertisement will be put out informing interested parties how to apply for the job. The three common pleas court judges will interview candidates and announce a choice, Morrin said.