BY SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

With the selection of David Ellowitch at the Dec. 19, 2023, meeting to fill a vacancy for a two-year position, the Parkland School Board stands ready to move ahead in the new year with a full slate of members.

A South Whitehall resident with two children attending district schools, Ellowitch is a certified financial planner working as a private wealth advisor for IronBridge Wealth Counsel.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Muhlenberg College and says he thought about going into a medical career but then changed direction.

He enrolled in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania where he received an Master of Science in education degree in higher education management.

Ellowitch commented on his background and his role as a school director.

“I hope I help add to the conversation,” Ellowitch said. “The resources are there.

“We need to be stewards of tax dollars and attract the best talent.”

For the past few years, Ellowitch frequently attended board meetings and spoke during the designated times for public comment with a positive attitude toward the district and the educational environment at his children’s schools.

He is a board member of Cease Fire PA, the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley, and the Muhlenberg College Board of Associates.

Superintendent Mark Madson commented on Ellowitch’s selection.

“Congratulations and welcome to the Parkland School Board,” Madson said.

Ellowitch replied to the welcome.

“I hope my perspective and effort can help add value to the already strong team at the helm of our district,” Ellowitch said.

The two-year vacancy dates back to the resignation of Jarrett Coleman who won election as a state senator in 2022.

The board then chose Bob Bold to serve until the election this fall.

Jay Rohatgi won both a two-year and four-year seat on the board in November 2023 and chose the four-year term.

The district advertised the opening and received applications from Michele Fedorov, Brad Mater, John Pfeiffer, Fatima Wakeel and Ellowitch.

All were interviewed in public at the meeting.

Ellowitch received five votes, Mater and Wakeel each received one vote.

“Thank you for your confidence in taking me,” Ellowitch said.

The superintendent thanked the other applicants for their interest and suggested they look for other ways to become involved with the school district.