Irene Genther wants people to run for their local school boards, but she doesn’t want them to do it for selfish reasons.

As she prepares to leave the Panther Valley school board, the 12-year member says candidates should be interested in improving the quality of education in their community

“I think what we need is more idealists on the school board. We don’t get paid. It’s just interest in doing something for your community,” Genther said.

Genther was unsuccessful in her bid for a fourth term in this month’s election. With new board members being sworn in next month, the school board bid farewell last week.

She was first elected to the Panther Valley school board 12 years ago. Prior to that, she taught 25 years in New Jersey, and served another dozen on a school board there.

A graduate of the former Lansford High School, Genther said she ran because she wanted to give back to her alma mater.

“I think that’s what a lot of people should think about - returning what you received,” she said.

Genther was involved in countless votes during her time on the board.

She was involved in the decision to build a new wing onto the Junior-Senior High School.

She said one of her main goals throughout her tenure was to ensure that the board hired the most qualified candidates for positions, not their personal favorites.

“Nepotism was our criticism. If you were on the board, you were almost asked to support somebody,” she said.

Genther recalled times when the debate in the boardroom could get nasty.

She said there were members who would storm out of the meeting after a heated discussion.

Her favorite board member was the late Roy “Mickey” Angst Jr., because he was legendary for never holding back an opinion.

Today, she says, the board is under the best leadership she’s seen since she arrived, under President Danny Matika.

“He is the best that we’ve had. He’s been fair and runs an orderly ship,” she said.

Matika said that the board hates to lose a member like Genther.

Genther said her goal was to serve 25 years as a school board member to match her 25 years as a teacher.

She ended up serving 24 years between her two school board posts, and will be remembered well after that.

“I tried to stay by what my convictions are,” Genther said.