Lehighton Area School District installed new leadership Tuesday night as recently elected director Alex Matika won a three-way contest to become board president for the next year.

Matika was nominated alongside Joy Beers, the outgoing president, and Heather Neff before securing the five votes needed to lead the district through December 2026.

Voting for Matika were Beers, Neff, Jeremy Glaush, Dave Bradley and Denise Hartley.

“I think it’s best we put the election behind us and work together for the community, staff and students,” Matika said Tuesday.

The board’s vice presidency was also contested.

Neff and Beers were nominated, and Neff was ultimately elected 5-4. Along with a vote for herself, Neff received support from Tim Tkach, Matika, William Howland and Lory Frey.

The board also selected a treasurer, with Frey winning the position over Hartley.

Before voting on leadership, the board formally seated its newly elected directors: Matika, Beers, Frey, Howland and Tkach. Among the five, Beers was the lone incumbent.

Superintendent Jason Moser informed the board that election certificates had not yet arrived.

“The director of elections has confirmed in writing that all five candidates were certified on Nov. 24,” Moser said.

Directors also approved representatives to the Carbon Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee (Howland), the CCAVTS Authority (Neff) and the Lehighton Area Memorial Library (Hartley).

Committee assignments will be handled later, though board members were encouraged to express interest in various advisory councils.