Lewis-Palmer School District 38 elects officers, swears in two new directors and completes organizational duties

Ron Schwarz was elected president of the Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 Board of Education at a special organizational meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2025. The board also elected Dr. Patty Shank as vice president, confirmed Todd Brown as treasurer, appointed an assistant treasurer and assistant secretary, and administered oaths to newly elected directors Timothy Bennett and Ginger Schaefer.

The meeting opened with administrative announcements that the formal board business would be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page. After roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the board moved under Robert’s Rules of Order to elect a chairman pro tem for the meeting; Dr. Patty Shank was proposed and the motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

Timothy Bennett and Ginger Schaefer each took the public oath of office, reciting the standard oath to "faithfully perform the duties of the office of school director" and to support the constitutions and laws of the United States and the State of Colorado. Both received applause and posed for photos following the swearing-in.

Under Colorado statute (C.R.S. 22-32-104, sections 3 and 4) and board policy BDA, the board opened nominations for its president and vice president. Ron Schwarz was nominated and, after a roll-call vote, began presiding over the meeting as president. Schwarz offered brief remarks welcoming Bennett and Schaefer and thanking them for their commitment to students and the community.

The board then nominated and elected Dr. Patty Shank as vice president. The president recommended Ginger Schaefer serve as board secretary; Schaefer agreed and the board confirmed the appointment by roll-call vote. Todd Brown was nominated and elected treasurer. By consensus the board appointed Mr. Ridgeway as assistant treasurer and Vicki (Miss) Wood as assistant secretary; both accepted the assignments during the meeting.

Consistent with state law, the board reviewed an affidavit of confidentiality that must be signed during the organization meeting. The board clerk, Vicki Wood, who noted she is a licensed notary, distributed copies, asked members to read and sign, and indicated notarized copies would be retained with the meeting minutes. Board members collectively affirmed under penalty of perjury that the affidavit information was correct.

The special meeting adjourned at 9:17 a.m.; the board planned a brief break and to reconvene for the remainder of a retreat at 9:30 a.m. The formal organizational business covered officer elections, statutory paperwork, and ceremonial swearing-in for new directors.

Actions recorded at the meeting included motions to elect a chairman pro tem and to elect or appoint the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and assistant officers; all recorded votes noted members responding in the affirmative during roll-call.