By Scott Halasz
XENIA — Jennifer Marietta was chosen as a new Xenia Community School District board member during Monday’s regular meeting.
Marietta, a Xenia attorney, replaces Gilberto Esparza, who resigned to pursue a job opportunity in Texas. Marietta was unanimously chosen over a handful of other applicants.
“I’m very pleased,” she said shortly after being sworn in by district Treasurer Eric Soltis. “I feel like I can be a valuable asset to the board. I have lots of experience in child advocacy in various venues.”
That experience set her apart from the other candidates.
“She has a background and some experience that will really help the board,” Board President Bill Spahr said.
Though she graduated from Greeneview High School in 2000, Marietta is no stranger to Xenia schools. She attended Simon Kenton and Shawnee elementary schools and Warner Middle School.
Marietta and her husband, Daniel, have two kids in Xenia Community Schools — Asina, a sophomore at Xenia High School, and Roland, a fourth grader.
“I have an interest in our district,” Marietta said.
Her term expires Dec. 31, 2017. Former board member Arch Grieve held this board position after being elected in November 2013. He resigned Aug. 7, 2015 to take a promotion at the Dayton Regional STEM School. Esparza was then chosen to replace Grieve the following month.
