Conestoga Valley School Board elects 2026 officers, reappoints solicitors and moves into executive session

The Conestoga Valley School Board on Dec. 1, 2025, elected its 2026 leadership, approved a consent agenda reappointing district auditors and solicitors, and voted to move into executive session to discuss a student-discipline matter and plans for a January board retreat.

Dr. Diane Martin, serving as temporary chair for the reorganization, opened the meeting and asked the board to approve the meeting agenda; the motion passed by voice vote. Dr. Martin then read certificates of election submitted by the Lancaster County Board of Elections confirming the results of the Nov. 4, 2025 election for school director seats. She administered the oath of office to members present; Colba Danko repeated the oath aloud and affirmed to “support, obey, and defend the constitution of The United States and the constitution of this commonwealth” and to discharge her duties with fidelity.

The nominating committee presented a slate of officers for 2026. Dr. Martin announced the slate: President Mark Gensel and Vice President Phil Eby. The board voted to elect the slate as presented and the gavel was returned to the newly elected president, Mark Gensel.

In a single bundled vote the board approved the consent agenda, items a–f, which included reappointing auditors (Saxton and Stump), reaffirming district solicitors and ad hoc counsel (Sweet Stevens, Katz & Williams for pupil services; McNees, Wallace & Newrick as bond counsel), and adopting the 2026 meeting dates. A roll-call vote was taken and recorded as all in favor.

A board member reminded colleagues to review the Pennsylvania School Boards Association principles of governance at least annually to guide board conduct and decision-making. The board also noted that liaison assignments will need reassignment because some positions are vacated; the list of new assignments was not attached and will be brought back for approval next week.

Later in the meeting the board voted to move into executive session to discuss a student-discipline matter and to plan the January board retreat. The motion to enter executive session was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair closed the public portion of the meeting.

The public portion of the reorganizational meeting lasted through the executive-session motion. No formal policy changes were adopted in open session; the board’s next public actions on liaison assignments were scheduled for the following week.