Lanell W. Jarvis of Foster, was appointed Tuesday night to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Michael C. Richards on the Mathews County School Board.

Jarvis was unanimously appointed by the four remaining school board members at the start of the board’s monthly meeting, which was held in the Mathews High School media center. Richards, whose term expires on Dec. 31, 2011, stepped down effective Aug. 31 for health reasons.

"I look forward to the opportunity to learn and work with my fellow school board members," Jarvis said following her appointment. "I know there will be challenges ahead and difficult decisions to make.

"However, I am excited about the new learning opportunities our youth have, including new dual-enrollment and technology-based classes that will assist them in a competitive world," she concluded.

Jarvis, a 1982 graduate of Gloucester High School, earned an associate’s degree from Rappahannock Community College and a bachelo...