AMBLER — The death of a Wissahickon School Board candidate-elect left a seat vacant Monday evening when the board reorganized.
Ian Berg, a Democrat from Blue Bell running for school board, died Oct. 27, according to a statement by fellow “Wiss Strong” candidates.
“Ian Berg’s passing is a profound loss, not only to his family and friends but to the entire community. We are grateful for our time with him, and we will honor his memory by continuing to work towards the causes he held dear. His legacy will live on in the positive changes he sought to bring about and the lives he touched along the way,” read an excerpt in part posted to the Wissahickon Democrats website. The statement was signed by fellow candidates Joe Antonio, Paul Badger Jr., Zeffy Karagiannakis, and Steve Walker.
Berg was one of five candidates elected to the nine-member school board that represents Ambler, as well as Whitpain and Lower Gwynedd Townships.
Democrats swept the suburban school director race in the 2023 election, according to results from Montgomery County’s election summary report. Figures recorded Antonio with 8,279 votes, Karagiannakis received 8,272 votes, Badger had 8,255 votes, Walker received 7,930 votes, and Berg had 7,825 votes.
Wissahickon School District Communications Director Kristen Rawlings confirmed Berg “was elected, even though he had passed away,” something Rawlings said “is a very unusual situation.” She recalled two previous school board vacancies taking place over the past eight years.
Rawlings said district officials then implemented protocols to begin filling Berg’s vacancy after the “new school board (was) put into place” Monday evening. The term would begin this month and continue until December 2025.
Those interested should submit a resume and letter of interest to School Board President Amy Ginsburg by 4 p.m. on Thursday. Submissions can be filed online or in-person to the school district administration building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 601 Knight Road. Visit www.wsdweb.org/school-board/school-director-candidate-interest-form for more information.
School board members will then interview candidates publicly at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11, according to Rawlings. A formal appointment will follow.
