By JIM BUTLER

The School Board opted for a new face in choosing an interim District F member Tuesday evening. 

A six-two vote named Marie Ashmore to the post officially vacated January 1 by an ailing Linda Burgess. 

Ashmore returned to the district after a 30-year military career and 12 years civilian work at the Pentagon. 

Other nominees were retired system educator/administrator William Higgins and state social services employee and former interim board member Linda Drew McMahon. 

She filled the post for several months in 2019 after the incumbent was declared ineligible.  Board member Willard McCall said Burgess asked that McMahon be the appointee, as did Alexandria Councilman-at-large Jules Green. 

Ashmore and Higgins led the first voting round 7-6-3, eliminating McMahon, each member voting for two nominees. 

She will serve the unexpired term of Burgess, essentially this year. All board seats are up for election in October. 

Her election was the third of the night. 

Two hours earlier members elected Mark Dryden president and Wilton Barrios vice President, both without opposition. 

Dryden, in his second four-year term, was vice president in 2025. He succeeds Steve Berry. 

His committee appointments: 

Personnel – Chair George Johnson, Barrios, McCall; Education – Chair Sandra Franklin, Wally Fall, Dryden; Finance – Chair Berry, Dr. Stephen Chapman, Ashmore; Executive – Chair Fall, Barrios, McCall.