UM School Board Inducts New Members

Newly elected and re-elected members of the took the oath of office at the special Dec. 6 school board meeting.

Judge Paul Leo officiated oath ceremonies for each of the six elected members: Duval Dougherty, Ron Slagle, April Stainback, Lisa Berlin, Mark Wenik and Al DerMovsessian, who will finish out a .

Preceding the oaths were the announcement of the official Montgomery County Election Voting Results:

• Mark Wenik – 4,215

• April Stainback - 4,134

• Ron Slagle - 2,469

• Lisa Berlin – 4,179

• Duval Dougherty – 2,403

• Al DerMovessian (2-year) – 4,323

The special meeting agenda also held a reorganization of the school board positions, with Dr. David Hakes voted as president of the board, Mark Wenik as vice president, Lisa Berlin as assistant secretary, and Brian Davis as treasurer.

Former board members Paul Roberts and Don Warner, as well as the family and friends of newly elected members attended the ceremony to show support.

“I just want to congratulate the new board members, some of who are returning and some who are brand new to us,” Hakes said, after he was re-elected president of the board.

“And, to the families of the new board members, I’m sorry you won’t see your families and loved ones on Tuesdays any longer,” Hakes, half-jokingly, added.

During the superintendent comments of the special meeting, Dr. Robert Milrod congratulated both the new board members and the community for participating in the voting process.

Milrod said that seeing several school board members being re-elected to the board or re-elected to certain positions, is telling of a board that works well together in achieving goals.

“As everyone knows, board members are elected, public officials, they’re elected by the community whom they represent,” Milrod said. “And, when you see consistency in elected officials, it’s because, people are pleased with the jobs they are doing.”

Milrod added that the community has spoken loudly and clearly in re-electing seated board members and electing board members who have philosophies that he sees will be very consistent in building the programs in the Upper Moreland School District.

The first action the new board members will take is an orientation meeting with the superintendent, scheduled for 7:45 a.m. in the central office.