By Steven Hoffman

Staff Writer

The Oxford School Board unanimously selected Donna Arrowood to serve as president and Rich Orpneck to serve as vice president during 2015. These decisions were made at the school board's annual reorganization meeting, which took place at the Hopewell Elementary School on Dec. 4.

Arrowood, who also served as president in 2014, is about to enter her fourth year on the board. She is an at-large member.

Orpneck, who represents the region that includes Elk and East Nottingham townships, is about to start his second year on the board.

The school board also includes Jason Brady, Lorraine Bell, Stephen Gaspar, Gary Olson, Howard Robinson, Joseph Starcheski, and Joseph Tighe.

The board established meeting dates for 2015, deciding that work sessions will take place on the second Tuesday of the month, while regular meetings will take place on the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings will continue to be held at the Hopewell Elementary School.

Orpneck will also continue to serve as the Oxford School Board's representative on the Chester County School Boards Legislative Council.

Olson, Orpneck, and Bell were reappointed to the district's Policy Review Committee.

The school board took care of one other matter at its organization meeting, approving the appointment of Brian Cooney as the district's business administrator. Charles Lewis, the longtime business administrator, is retiring in January.

Arrowood said that with superintendent David Woods and assistant superintendent Dr. Margaret Billings-Jones on board, the district has a good administrative team and things are progressing smoothly as a result.

Looking ahead to the next year, Arrowood said that one of the school board's main priorities is to reach an agreement on a new teachers' contract. The former pact expired at the end of June. Arrowood said that the two sides are currently working to “close the gaps” on a new agreement.

The school board is combining this month's work session and regular meeting into one meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Hopewell Elementary School.