Adams County School Board Swears In Three New Members, Elects Leaders

Ben Hilderbrand, Trent Arey and Paula McIntosh were sworn in to the Adams County Ohio Valley School District board at the district’s organizational meeting, stepping into the roles they won in the Nov. 4, 2025 election. Superintendent Dawn Wallace welcomed the new trustees as the board immediately elected David Riley as president and Sally McDaniel as vice-president, setting leadership for the year ahead.

The board confirmed its 2026 meeting schedule and set the first regular meeting for Jan. 26, 2026. District officials urged residents to attend and engage, noting board meetings are a primary venue for updates, direct questions and participation in governance as the board tackles goals for student outcomes and operational planning in the new year. New members expressed eagerness to begin work and emphasized training, learning board responsibilities and collaborating with colleagues as priorities as they acclimate to the role.

For Adams County families and school staff, these changes matter beyond names on a roster. School board composition shapes decisions about school health services, mental health supports, nutrition programs, special education resources and transportation - all of which intersect with public health and equity. A board that prioritizes clear community engagement and equitable allocation of limited resources can influence whether students in more remote parts of the county have consistent access to counseling, school nurses and supports that contribute to attendance and academic success.

The incoming trustees join district leadership at a moment when operational planning often requires balancing tight budgets with growing needs. Choices about staffing, program funding and partnerships with county health and social services will affect classroom conditions and the health supports available to students. In rural districts such as ACOVSD, the board’s approach to outreach and transparency can also determine how well parents, teachers and health providers coordinate around issues like chronic absenteeism, behavioral health and school-based preventive care.

Community members can use the board’s meeting schedule to hold leaders accountable and to bring forward concerns about equity, school safety and student well-being. Regular attendance and participation give residents a direct channel to influence priorities before budgets and policies are finalized. As Ben Hilderbrand, Trent Arey and Paula McIntosh move from induction to decision-making, their votes will help set the course for how Adams County schools address both academic goals and the health-related supports that underpin them.

The coming months will show how David Riley and Sally McDaniel steer board priorities and how the new trustees translate training into action. Residents should watch agendas, attend meetings and raise the issues that matter to students’ learning and health, because those conversations will shape the district’s plans for the year ahead.