Former Monaca Superintendent Mike Thomas quoted Emerson: "Go ... where there is no path and leave a trail."

Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit Director Tom Zelesnik quoted American poet Edwin Markham: "There is a destiny that makes us brothers: None goes his way alone: All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own."

But in some ways Beaver County Common Pleas Judge Gus Kwidis may have said it best after swearing in the 18 board members of Pennsylvania's newest school district last night:

"I pray you do a good job. God bless."

With that, Pennsylvania's 501 school districts became 500, as Center Area and Monaca merged to form Central Valley.

The new district, in central Beaver County, includes Monaca Borough and Center and Potter townships. It will have an enrollment of about 2,300.

"It is an absolute privilege to be on this board with each of the other 17 of you," Monaca's Mel Mikulich said after being elected president of the Central Valley school board. "It's a personal honor to stand here and represent you."

Center Area's Rob Gradisek was elected vice president. Former Center Area Superintendent Dan Matsook was named superintendent of schools and Dr. Thomas -- who had said throughout the talks that he intended to retire when the process is complete -- was named superintendent of merger activities.

The new school board also officially approved its name, its colors (navy blue and Carolina blue), its mascot (Warriors) and its logo, along with details such as meeting dates.

The merger was driven mostly by academics: Monaca had dipped to fewer than 700 pupils, and was struggling to offer a full slate of advanced classes and activities; Center was larger, but was also losing enrollment.

But it was also driven by economics. By consolidating the two district's elementary schools, the new district cut 19 teachers, and will save about $1 million this year. Further savings are expected when the middle schools and high schools are consolidated in the fall of 2010.

Despite those benefits, it was not an easy process. The two districts had been talking and planning for four years, and the process nearly died after Center Area voters elected an anti-merger majority in 2007.

Tensions were also high in recent months as Monaca board members dealt with a mercantile tax and a real estate tax hike their constituents didn't want. Meanwhile, a number of Center board members argued that both taxes should be higher to ensure the new district's financial footing.

That led to a 10-8 vote to approve the budget and an 11-7 vote on the tax package.

For the most part, though, last evening was a celebration.

"You truly are making history," state Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said in a letter, read by Dr. Matsook.

"Go Warriors!"