The Shenandoah County School Board on the organizational agenda elected Larry Vance as chair and Whitney Pence as vice chair, confirmed clerks and agents, and approved committee assignments and designee appointments.

The board elected Larry Vance chair in a contested roll-call vote, with Vance receiving three votes to Michael Rickard’s two and one abstention. "The role of the school board to me falls under 4 major headings," Vance said, listing policy, practices, resources and leadership as his priorities.

Whitney Pence was elected vice chair by a similar margin (reported 3–2 with one abstention). Pence, a newly elected board member, said she is "overly available during the day" and stressed availability to parents and staff as one reason she sought the leadership role.

Cheryl Jett was nominated and confirmed by acclamation as clerk of the school board. Crystal Stickley was appointed deputy clerk by voice vote and the reappointment was confirmed.

The board reappointed Joe Bowman as parliamentarian by voice vote. The superintendent presented a resolution to set terms and appoint a trustee to the Stearns Educational Trust, which provides funds to support students with disabilities; the board agreed to name a trustee and consider and approve the resolution at the Jan. 8 meeting.

The board approved a resolution naming an agent and deputy agent to examine and approve payment of claims, with Whitney Pence recommended as agent and Mike Shabby as deputy agent. The motion passed by voice vote after members discussed the logistics of approving claims during work hours.

The superintendent’s designees to attend meetings in the superintendent’s absence — Chad Hensley and Jennifer Proctor — were appointed for the 2026 calendar year.

Other housekeeping matters included committee assignments for 2026 and the addition of a school infrastructure planning committee. Board members were asked to notify Chair Vance by Jan. 15 if they wish to serve; committees will be finalized Jan. 26.

The meeting adjourned and the board scheduled its next meeting for Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance
- Chair (2026): Larry Vance — elected by roll call (3 votes for Vance, 2 for Michael Rickard, 1 abstention).
- Vice Chair (2026): Whitney Pence — elected by roll call (3 votes for Pence, 2 for Michael Rickard, 1 abstention).
- Clerk: Cheryl Jett — elected by acclamation.
- Deputy Clerk: Crystal Stickley — appointed by voice vote.
- Parliamentarian: Joe Bowman — reappointed by voice.
- Agent/Deputy Agent for examining and approving claims: Whitney Pence (agent) and Mike Shabby (deputy) — approved by vote.
- Superintendent designees for 2026: Chad Hensley and Jennifer Proctor — approved by voice.

Key quotes
"The role of the school board to me falls under 4 major headings," Larry Vance said while outlining his priorities for chair. "I'm out here. I'm fighting for our personnel. I'm fighting for our students," Michael Rickard said in explaining his record and candidacy.

What’s next
The board will consider the trustee appointment and resolution for the Stearns Educational Trust at its Jan. 8 meeting and will finalize committee assignments on Jan. 26.