(Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette) Rod Paavola has been appointed to the Hancock School Board, to vill the vacancy created last July when Mary Babcock stepped down.

HANCOCK — The Hancock School Board has appointed a new member, Rod Paavola, who replaces former trustee Mary Babcock. Babcock, who was the board vice president, stepped down in July because of her excessive work load at City Hall, where she serves as city clerk.

“I have a lot to learn,” Paavola said of his new position. “I mean, I’m just jumping in, I’ve not been on this school board, or any school board. I’ve been on other boards, though, so I think it’ll be fine.”

Paavola said the other members have been good about telling him what he needs to know, and what he needs to do, and, “what I need to be looking at, so I can look at it at home, but I think it’s going to be fine.”

Paavola said he is, by profession, a nurse.

“But I’m also a case manager (at) UP Health System-Portage,” he added. “I was a manager over there for about 10 years, I’m familiar with boards.”

While a case manager, Paavola said he also is also working as a nurse again, and said it is nice to work with patients again.

Babcock served on the board for more than four years.

With Babcock’s stepping down, board members elected trustee Randy Heinonen as vice president, the position he originally held last winter when former Board President Kevin Kalinec resigned. Previously, Heinonen held the position of board treasurer. Trustee Wendy Chynoweth was appointed to fill the vacancy when Heinonen was appointed vice president.