By Jackson Stocker ‘27
On the latest national election day, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Conestoga Valley School board held its member election for the next 4-year term. There were 4 seats open on the 8-member board. Have you seen the results?
In order to get to know some of the candidates, there was a forum on Tuesday, October 21 at Smoketown Elementary. All 8 candidates were invited to attend this meeting to explain their plans for the school board and district.
3 of the 8 candidates showed at the forum on Tuesday, October 21st. The other five were contacted and either did not answer or did not show.
School board elections are partisan, meaning they are separated into political parties. In the state of Pennsylvania, candidates have to choose between Democratic and Republican parties, removing the option for an independent party.
At the forum on the 21st, the 3 candidates who showed were Sara Kern, Timothy Shea, and Melissa Clingan.
The results from the election are: Republicans Kathleen W. Trowbridge, Diana Wiley Capka, Laura Leigh Givler, and Philip Benigno.
Compared to other local schools, Conestoga Valley usually aligns with the school districts with all-Republican boards, rather than districts like School District of Lancaster that are historically Democrat.
For example, Warwick School District has an all-Republican school board, with the newly-elected candidates also being Republican.
Manheim Township differs, as they had a complete Democratic party take over this election. The entire board is now composed of Democratic members.
A resident in Conestoga Valley and mother to four children in the district, Erica Gensel, said, “I’m very pleased with the voter turnout for this local election.”
Gensel also said that she has high respect for anyone who runs for the school board, and that she is satisfied overall with the results.