POST FALLS — Dave Paul was appointed during the Post Falls School Board's Monday meeting to serve as trustee for Zone 1.

Paul, who served as a trustee for the school district from 2004 through 2011, was the only individual to apply for the position. The board decision filled a seat vacated by Glorie Ward in September when she announced that she was moving to Coeur d'Alene.

"Welcome back, Mr. Paul," said Board Chair Donagene Turnbow after the board unanimously approved Paul for the position.

In his application for the position, Paul wrote that he wanted to return to the board as a way to give back to the community and the school district.

"I am a firm believer in public education and want to do my part to help Post Falls continue to succeed in educating our kids," he wrote.

Since 2014, Paul has worked as the national director of MPCI, the agricultural insurance division of economic consulting firm Watts and Associates. Paul was previously employed as the regional director at the Spokane regional office of the USDA Risk Management agency.

In addition to previous experience on the board, Paul mentioned his service as vice president of the Parent Teacher Association and as a board member of the Post Falls Education Foundation.

When asked about his top priorities for the district, Paul acknowledged that he would be filling a vacancy and stated he would defer to the current direction of the board.

"I am a good listener who doesn't have an agenda," Paul wrote. "I pride myself in being informed, being able to listen to all sides and then working together with the board to make the best possible decisions while never losing focus on the true goals."

Paul will serve out the remainder of Ward's term, which expires in 2017.

"I want to continue to help strengthen the bond between teachers and administrators and support the district with good decisions — all aimed at what is best for the students in the district," Paul said.