The Astoria School District Board of Directors on Monday appointed Jenna Rickenbach, the only candidate to apply, to replace Laurie Choate as its fifth member.

Rickenbach has four children, including Aaron Rickenbach in the sixth grade, Alivia in the fourth, Signe in the first grade and 4-year-old Sophia ready to start Kindergarten next year.

Theyre my main reasons for serving on the school board, said Rickenbach. I think this is a way to be informed about whats going on.

Rickenbach, a stay-at-home mother whose husband Jared is the president of Rickenbach Construction, sat in front of the school board, answering a list of prepared questions from various school board members. One of her last presentations to the board was during public debate over a proposed school-based health center in the district, which Rickenbach said she opposed because of concerns over parental control in their childrens health care.

Im an advocate of parents rights in our childrens education, said Rickenbach, citing her involvement in her childrens education as one of her main potential contributions to the board.

I dont want to rehash something thats already been decided, she said about the failed health center proposal. Id rather bring people together, like how can we help our students get the health care they need without taking away parents responsibilities.

Rickenbach, active through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a former board president of the Astoria Childrens Museum, among many other civic associations.

Almost all my experience is volunteer experience, she said, listing her inclusion in various mothers and parents clubs in the district, young womens leadership groups working with females ages 12 to 18 and steering committees for local parks.

I really feel like we have a good school district, and we have amazing teachers. I think my goal would be to bring people together and move forward.

Choate, who had been on the board more than 11 years, took part in her last meeting March 12 and previously resigned effective today as head of Clatsop Community Colleges Nursing and Allied Health Departments. She travels to Olympia, Wash., on at least a two-year contract to help rehabilitate a nursing program at South Puget Sound Community College.

Superintendent Craig Hoppes said Rickenbach would get some training and preside over her first meeting April 9.