PARMA, Ohio — The Parma City School District Board of Education swore in its newest member during a special meeting on Monday night.
Angela Schwark was elected by a majority vote of the board following a search process that narrowed down a field of 18 applicants to seven finalists, with three candidates receiving second interviews. Schwark currently serves as a ministry assistant for global outreach and men's ministry at Grace Church in Middleburg Heights.
Schwark replaces Amanda Karpus, who resigned from the board earlier this month after being arrested on felony forgery charges. According to the Parma Police Department, Karpus misused a credit card that was the property of an athletic booster club where she was the president. It is alleged that she then forged a document to cover up the fraudulent purchase once it was discovered. Karpus' case was forwarded to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office for further action. Her case remains pending and under investigation.
Karpus had also served as the vice president of the Parma City School Board. She has been replaced in that role by board member Cyndee Bratz.
Schwark will be a member of the board for the remainder of this calendar year. An election will be held this November to serve out the remainder of Karpus' term through December 31, 2025.