The leading vote-getter in the primary election for a seat on Palmerton Area School District's board of directors is getting an early start on his new role.

Earl Paules agreed Tuesday to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Chuck Myers, board president, earlier this week.According to Vice President Tammy Recker, Myers informed the board of his intentions late Monday afternoon.In a resignation letter, Myers said he stepped down for personal reasons."It's been a pleasure working with every member of the Palmerton Area School District and I wish them all continued success in their personal and professional matters," the letter continued.Faced with an immediate vacancy, the board contacted the Pennsylvania School Board Association for policy guidance on filling the seat, which it had 30 days to complete."We had several options," Recker said. "We could have appointed someone or take letters of interest and interview candidates."Candidate interviews would have had to be done in public, according to state policy.After an executive session, the district decided to reach out to Paules, who tallied 439 Republican votes and 406 votes on the Democratic side in May's primary election.Paules agreed to take the seat and will receive the oath of office at a special board meeting on Sept. 5.Myers did not receive enough votes in May to advance to the general election ballot, meaning his term would have ended in December.Based on the primary election results, Kathy Lendvay Fallow and Katherine Baumgardt will join Paules on the board in December."Chuck has been on the board a long time," Recker said. "I spoke with him a few times yesterday and today. This is a very hard decision to accept, but we all respect his wishes."