Rick Moze Rejoins the Greenfield School Board

The vote for Dave Richlen’s replacement on the Greenfield School Board came down to experience versus fresh perspective.

And experience won out.

Former board member Rick Moze was chosen by the six-member school board at a special meeting Monday. Moze collected four votes and Brandon Rosner two. Paul Palama did not receive a vote.

Moze will finish Richlen’s term, which expires in April 2013. in June when he and his family moved to Franklin.

Moze f behind Cathy Walsh, Russ Spahn and Len Cich, but returns to the board after a four-month hiatus.

“I know what’s happening in the district and don’t need to be brought up to speed,” Moze told the six-member board during Monday’s interview process. “I’ve been to 120 school events in the last year. I know what teachers, parents and citizens are thinking. That’s a valuable tool when you have to make tough decisions.”

“When I’m considering a replacement for Mr. Richlen, I feel like there won’t be time, with the issues we’re facing as a district, there’s not a lot of time to bring someone up to speed,” board member Cathy Walsh said. “There are crucial issues.”

Cich, who along with Don Carlson voted for Rosner, said the short time period played in favor of a new face.

“(A new candidate) could present an opinion that would be unbiased,” Cich said. “He would not be attached to the problems that we have been dealing with. That is critical.”

Said Carlson: “All three could hit the road running if they were selected. There’s advantages to experience, advantages to newcomers, new blood.”

Only six people were in attendance at Monday’s meeting, half of whom were the candidates and another being a local reporter.