The Excelsior Springs Board of Education has filled a vacancy. Nominated by Troy Snelling, the board unanimously approved Jill Evert Monday night at the Support Services Center to finish Steve Houck’s term as director. As The Standard reported, Houck resigned his position this summer to teach in the Excelsior Springs School District. Evert, who was sworn in near the end of the board’s regular meeting, was among five applicants interviewed Monday, including one phone interview. The first of six questions posed to her and the others was their reason for applying. Serving on the board provides “another opportunity for me to make a difference in the community,” Evert told the board and other district leaders. Personal connections were another reason she gave. An Excelsior Springs resident for much of her life, the district is where her children and grandchildren have attended school, she said. “I also b...