Larry Stern was narrowly re-elected Wednesday night as president of the Lehighton Area School District board of directors.

Keeping the seat by a 5-4 vote, Stern was one of three board members nominated for the position, joining Joy Beers and Rita Spinelli. Director David Bradley nominated both Beers and Spinelli, though he later withdrew his nomination for Spinelli.

Voting for Stern were Wayne Wentz, Steve Holland, Nathan Foeller, Spinelli and himself. Beers, Bradley, Gail Maholick and Richard Beltz were opposed.

Before the vote, resident Fred Kemmerer said any of the three were capable of succeeding in the position.

“Larry has done well but I honestly can’t see how he would want to do this any longer,” Kemmerer said. “I also think Joy would do a fine job. I do appreciate during meetings how Rita is steadfast with her thoughts and standing up to Dave (Bradley), which I appreciate as a citizen.”

Other residents called for change, including Barbara Bowes and Brian Shaner, who advocated for “new blood” in the presidency.

“The district has gone off a financial cliff,” Bradley said. “I don’t think the same people can steer this train straight.”

Foeller was elected vice president, 5-3, along the same lines as the vote for president, except for Beltz, who had left the meeting by that point.

“He is the only one who has children in school and I believe strongly that younger parents who have a stake here need to be represented on the board,” Spinelli, who nominated Foeller, said. “He has the ability to take an excellent leadership role.”

Bradley again blasted the vote, calling Foeller and those who voted for him “evil” and calling for their resignations.

With Foeller elected vice president, he had to resign his post as board treasurer. Spinelli, by a 5-3 vote, will fill that role. Bradley was also nominated, but failed to get enough votes.

Foeller will remain the district’s representative on the Carbon Career & Technical Institute’s joint operating committee, while Holland will be the alternate.

Bradley also challenged Stern’s decision to keep committee assignments the same as last year, saying that should be up to the board. Attorney Eric Filer, however, said the district’s policy does give the board president that power.

“If anyone has an interest in participating with a committee they are not currently on, let me know,” Stern said.