Norwin School Board member Joanna Jordan, who had been missing from meetings since January, died on Tuesday, the school district announced Friday.
Jordan, 75, of Irwin, was elected to the school board in 2019 and did not seek reelection in the May primary.
Her absence from the meetings meant that the divided board was split 4-4 between the two factions when controversial issues arose.
The board will have the opportunity to select a person to fill the remainder of Jordan’s term, which was to expire in early December.
The school board will meet on Monday for a scheduled session.
Darlene Ciocca, board president, said she wants to discuss with the school board the matter of replacing Jordan and declined further comment.
The board has had two vacancies in the past five years and was unable to agree on a replacement when former director Shawn Petrisko resigned in August 2018.
That vacancy was not filled until January 2019, when the Westmoreland County judges selected William Essay to serve the remainder of Petrisko’s term. Essay won election to a full four-year term on the board and did not run for re-election this year.
Jordan, a former nurse, also served as a member of Irwin Borough Council from 2012 to 2016. She lost a bid for re-election in November 2015.
Funeral arrangements for Jordan are being handled by the Ott Funeral Home in Irwin.
