The State College Area School Board elected a new president and vice president during its annual reorganization meeting on Monday night.
Aaron Miller was elected president in a 5-4 vote over outgoing vice president Deborah Anderson. Rebecca Desmarais was among three nominees for vice president with Anderson and Anne Demo and won 5-4 in the second round of voting.
Miller, who is beginning his third year on the board, succeeds Amy Bader, who previously said she would not seek the position after serving two years as president.
“My goal, similar to Dr. Anderson, [is] to serve in a way that makes sure all board members are heard, that all board members are at the table and participating in the conservation,” Miller said. “I … hope to continue to build trust in the district and community. I look forward to serving with the board in any role.”
Board member Jesse Barlow, who nominated Miller, said Miller is “extraordinarily knowledgeable” about education and the public school system. Barlow added that Miller has been “very helpful” to him since he was first appointed to the board earlier this year, and that he routinely raises important points in committee meetings.
“I think he can do this role very, very well and help this board work as a group of nine with the superintendent to keep making this a better district,” Barlow said.
Board member Gretchen Brandt said Miller is “not afraid of change” and listens to all voices, even those who do not agree with him.
“He’s also one of the few people I’ve ever encountered in my life who, even if an altercation of some sort occurs, he is willing enthusiastically to come back to the table and say ‘hey, let’s talk about this some more’ and invest the time and give others respect,” Brandt said. “No matter how they treat him, he still gives them respect. That’s also something that I find to be incredibly important in a leader. I think that sometimes change is needed and Aaron would provide change in a positive way and always prioritize more than anything else K-12 learning.”
Miller received votes from himself, Barlow, Brandt, Desmarais and Jennifer Black.
Desmarais, who is beginning her first term on the board, also won by a 5-4 vote against Anderson in the second round of voting for vice president after Demo was eliminated in the first round.
After being nominated by Barlow, Desmarais said she felt any of the three would have been a fine choice, and in fact cast one of the two votes for Demo in the first round.
“I know that I was just sworn in tonight. This is a new role for me to be in here, but this is not a new role for me for leadership,” Desmarais said. “I have had many years of experience and leadership skills. I work extremely hard on trying to bring people together. It’s a responsibility that I take seriously to want to bring our board and the people I’m surrounded by together in respect and understanding. I think working together is so important.”
Brandt cited Desmarais’ deep involvement in the community, ability to build relationships and leadership throughout her involvement with the school district before her election to the board.
“Her knowledge of the community and families in this district is going to create a bridge between the community and the board,” Brandt said. “That’s something that is a treasure. She is a treasure and we are so lucky to have her on this board. I do not see a lack of experience or leadership in any way, shape or form with Rebecca. She has it all already, in some areas more than some of us who have been sitting up here quite awhile.”
Miller said he could work with any of the board members, but noted that Desmarais is “very deliberative, very purposeful.”
“I’ve found her to be somebody who asks a lot of really good questions,” he said. “I’ve also found her to be somebody who gives really great critical feedback and helps me be a better version of myself sometimes.”
Like Miller, Desmarais received votes from herself, Barlow, Black, Brandt and Miller in the second round of voting.
The reorganization meeting began with Centre County Judge Brian Marshall swearing in the five members who were elected to the board in November: Desmarais, who was elected to her first full term; Black, who was elected to a two-year interim term; Barlow, who had been appointed to fill a vacancy in July but was elected to a full term; and Anderson and Jackie Huff, who were elected to their second terms.
