A new era dawned Monday night for Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors as four newcomers participated in their first full school board meeting.

Walter Zlomsowitch and Kerry Sittler took their seats at the table following successful campaigns for four-year seats in 2021, while Jeremy Glaush and April Walker began their two-year terms after being appointed last week. Meanwhile, Joy Beers and Barb Bowes, sitting board members, also took the oath of office for new four-year terms.

Nathan Foeller and Richard Beltz round out what is currently an eight-member board.

Beers, who was elevated to board president following Larry Stern’s resignation as a director in November, will retain that role in 2022 following unanimous board vote Monday. Richard Beltz was unanimously appointed as board vice president.

Though he won and opted to take a four-year seat on the board, Zlomsowitch also won a two-year seat in the general election, meaning the two-year term is currently vacant.

Beers said that seat could be filled as early as Wednesday, when the board meets again at 7 p.m. The leading candidate is Brian Shaner, who was one of nine individuals to interview for an open seat in front of the board last week.

“Mr. Shaner was our third leading scorer during that interview process following Jeremy Glaush and April Walker,” Beers said. “One of the things I like about Mr. Shaner is this board has a decidedly anti-mask stance right now and he falls on the other side of that debate. We polled parents and it was close to a 50-50 split on how they feel about masks, so I think it’s good to have pro-mask parents represented on the board.”

During his interview, Shaner pointed to his human resources experience as a strength he could bring to the board.

“I think that human resources experience could prove very valuable,” Bowes said. “We have a very diverse board right now and I think he would add even more diversity.”

Shaner indicated Monday that he was still interested in a seat on the board.

“I appreciate the conversation around this opportunity,” he said.

All board committee appointments will remain the same until at least the next business meeting. Beers asked anyone interested in serving on a committee to let her know.

In terms of schedules, board meetings will continue to be on the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. except for Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19, 2022. A full schedule can be found on the district website.

Finance committee meetings will be the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m., academic affairs committee on the first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m., policy committee on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., athletic committee on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. and building and grounds committee on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.