EPHRATA — The Ephrata School Board Monday night unanimously selected Josh Sainsbury to fill the board’s vacant position.

“We are happy to have Josh, employed as a public servant, be willing to do more for his community by serving on the school board,” said Anita Waller, Ephrata School Board Vice President in a release by the district. “We look forward to working with him.”

The release states Sainsbury replaces Alain Black who stepped down in August to accept the varsity girls basketball head coaching position at Ephrata High School.

Sainsbury, an Ephrata High School alum, is the Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and will serve the remainder of Black’s term, which expires in December 2023.

“I’m very excited to serve the Ephrata community as a school board member,” said Sainsbury in the release. “I have always been proud of where I am from. I want to be able to give back to the community and support our future. This is the perfect opportunity to do just that and I’m excited to get started.”