After spending three hours of interviewing eight candidates to fill a vacancy on the board, Sharpsville school directors Wednesday voted 7-1 to appoint Kimberly Barringer to the spot.

Mrs. Barringer, of 4260 Bluejay Drive, South Pymatuning Township, has lived in the school district for eight years.

She has been a teacher for 19 years, mostly teaching science, and currently runs the gifted program at Sharon High School. During her interview, Mrs. Barringer said she felt that with her experience in education, she could be an asset to the board.

A mother of three, Mrs. Barringer said her children were a motivating factor in applying for the school board.

"I'm just going to try to do the best job possible to help provide a quality education to the students of Sharpsville," Mrs. Barringer said after she was sworn in as the newest board member.

Mrs. Barringer was the second candidate nominated after the interviews.

School Director Chris Ruffo first nominated former school Director Gerard Hanley. Ruffo, Charles "Chas" Rice, Donna Murray and Robert Timmerman all voted for Hanley; Joyce Grandy, David DeForest, Terry Karsonovich and Susan Pokor-ney all voted against Hanley.

Mrs. Murray cast the lone "no" vote against Mrs. Barringer.

Six other candidates applied for the seat vacated by Dr. VanZanten last month, including William Abernathy, Diane Amsdell, Michael Munger, Linda Hanahan, Darla Grandy and Sam Kudelko Jr.

During the interviews, board Solicitor John Reed asked the candidate four questions approved by the board.

The questions were: what the candidate thought the role of a school director should be; ranking seven different aspects of education at Sharpsville and giving each a letter grade; if the candidate was for or against tax reform that would restrict the raising of taxes; and what changes the candidate would make to the school district and why.

The candidates -- who were sequestered as others were quizzed -- were given 20 minutes of interview time and each took a seat in the audience afterward.

Mrs. Barringer will finish out VanZanten's term, which expires in 2003. She will have to run in the 2003 municipal election to retain her seat.