Salem — At a special meeting Monday night, the Board of Education unanimously voted to appoint Democrat Phil Teixeira to fill the board vacancy left by the departure of fellow Democrat Margaret Caron.

Teixeira, who was endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican town committees and received support from parents who spoke at previous meetings, was appointed one week after the September regular board meeting during which board members heatedly discussed whether or not the position should be open only to Teixeira because of his committee endorsement, or if it also should be opened to a second applicant, Roland Trailor, who applied for the position after the board advertised that it was accepting applications for any interested parties, regardless of political affiliation.

Trailor sent a letter to the board late last week withdrawing his application.

Teixeira, a 19-year resident of Salem, said he is interested in joining the board in part because he has a granddaughter who goes to Salem School. He recently retired from a career in the pharmaceutical industry and said he believes his work experience would allow him to help the Board of Education develop metrics to measure the success of goals at Salem School and help the board find ways for the school to become more cost-effective.

"In my perfect world, I would like a system where my granddaughter will have the opportunity to be as great as she can be," said Teixeira. "I'd like to see her be able to flourish and to grow, and I'd like to help develop a system to get her there."

The board voted an unanimously approved his appointment following the public interview and a brief executive session. Teixeira will fill the vacancy through November 2015.

"I think he's very articulate and thoughtful and experienced and can offer the board a lot," said school board Chairman Stephen Buck of Teixeira.

j.hopper@theday.com

Twitter: @JessHoppa