Darlene Dawson was elected chair of the Orange County School Board on a 5-0 roll-call vote during the board’s 2026 reorganization meeting. Jack Rickett was elected vice chair in a subsequent 5-0 vote. The board also approved Laura Byram as clerk and Yvonne Dawson as deputy clerk for 2026.

The reorganization meeting formalized a package of procedural and governance items intended to set the board’s calendar and leadership for the year. Board members approved the 2026 meeting schedule as presented, adopted Robert’s Rules of Order for board meetings, and approved a governance norms document that the board said it will revisit in greater detail at an upcoming retreat.

“We’re humbled and honored and pledged to do the very best I can to help lead us in a way that is good governance and keeping our North Star always in front of us, which is, of course, student achievement and safety,” said Darlene Dawson after her election as chair.

The board also designated administrative signatories to act in the superintendent’s absence: Gary Honecker, chief financial officer, and Susan Aylor, executive director of special education and student services, were authorized to sign and approve division documents through Jan. 31, 2027.

On personnel matters handled later in the meeting, the board approved the personnel agenda presented in closed session, including resignations, hires, transfers and coaching/extracurricular appointments. One board member announced a potential conflict of interest and stated they would abstain from a related vote.

The board set a half-day retreat for Feb. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon in the boardroom to continue governance discussions and review policy matters, including a future conversation about the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA).

Next steps: the board will revisit its governance norms at the Feb. 4 retreat and proceed with administrative assignments and committee appointments approved at the meeting.