LOYALTON - Upper Dauphin Area school board has a new president at the helm.
During an organizational meeting Dec. 3, Dave Barder was named as president, while the Rev. Nathan C. Minnich, Elizabethville, is the newest board member.
Minnich, who was unable to attend the meeting, replaces John Blyler, who did not seek re-election in Region 2. Minnich's term expires in 2017. Blyler had also served as past president of the board. He was recognized at the November board meeting and presented a certificate for his 20 years of service to the district.
Newly re-elected directors Gerald Wiest, Roni Mace, Mills Eure and Angela Mattern were sworn in. Wiest was elected vice president. Director Anthony Matter was absent.
The board also appointed directors to serve on committees and special assignments as follows: safety committee, Barder; CSIU Health Trust, Eure; Harrisburg Area Community College, Eure; PSBA legislature chairperson, Matter; PSBA representative and employee relations contact, Barder; district curriculum council, Wiest and Jack Laudenslager; agriculture advisory council, Wiest and Eure; technology advisory council, Barder and Matter; building and grounds, Laudenslager, Barder and Eure; and policy committee, Kathy Talhelm, Wiest and Eure.
In other matters, it was announced that the district had received a thank you on behalf of the family of the late Brett D. Shadle.
Upper Dauphin Area Education Association representative Elijah Shutt presented information from district staff to the board.
Students in Donna Enders' middle school class and Megan Wallisch's sixth period English class participated in the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign sponsored by the American Red Cross. Students made cards for service members, families of service members and veterans to thank them for their sacrifices and to let them know that they are thought of and remembered at this time of year. Cards were sent to Maryland where they will be sent out and distributed to individuals.