A new member of the Tamaqua Area School Board officially took her seat at the table during Monday night’s reorganization meeting.

Newcomer Nancy Jones said she started school when she was 5 years old and never left.

Jones taught for 45 years - 34 with the Tamaqua school district and 11 more at Valley Christian Preschool when she retired.

“For me, it’s another aspect of education, Jones said. “I just thought I have a lot to offer as far as education goes. But then I expect to learn a lot of new things about a part of education I had no input in before. It’s something I recently thought that I would enjoy and I’m excited.”

Jones will fill the void left by longtime board member Dr. Thomas Rottet, who spent 20 years at the table.

“I think it’s important to have teachers and educators on the board,” said Larry Wittig, board president. “She’s going to be a great addition. She brings a perspective that the only other person on the board could have is Melanie (Dillman). There is no way for us to be able to relate to what she went through for over 40 years as an educator.”

Wittig and Nicholas Boyle unanimously reclaimed board president and vice president, respectively, for one year.

During November’s election, Jones, Boyle and returning board members Bryan Miller and Mark Rother ran unopposed - as Jones received the most votes. All of their terms will be up in 2025.

With Rottet gone, there are a few notable changes among the most active committees.

The auxiliary committee features Chairman Rother, Trina Schellhammer and Thomas Bartasavage.

The education committee is again chaired by Dillman, who is joined by Miller and Jones.

The finance committee will remain the same.