The Pottsville Area School Board thanked two of its members, whose terms will come to a close at the end of the year, at Wednesday's meeting.
Dr. Michael D. Smink, who has served on the school board for a consecutive 12 years, and Scott R. Thomas, who just completed his first four-year term, did not run for re-election this year.
"We thank both of you for your service," school board President John F. Boran said at the board's November meeting Wednesday.
"I was grateful for the opportunity. There's a lot of good, dedicated people here that make this district run. And it's not an easy job," Smink said.
Instead of running for a second term on the school board, Thomas, a Republican, ran for mayor of the City of Pottsville in the November election. He was beaten by Democrat James T. Muldowney, a city councilman.
Thomas ended the night's meeting with a two-page speech he'd prepared. Here are some of the highlights:
- "It is with great sadness that I say farewell to the Board of Directors of the Pottsville Area School District this evening. Four years ago, as a 19-year-old, the people of this district entrusted me with the honor of representing them and their children. I have taken this honor very seriously, and, as I leave the board this evening, I am proud to say that, thanks to the efforts of many, some in this room, and others who have served our district in the past, I am proud to leave our school district in a sound position, both fiscally and educationally."
- "Here at Pottsville, we have not raised taxes in eight years, we have not cut personnel or essential programs and we have maintained the high quality of educational excellence our students and parents deserve."
- "It has been my privilege to receive the guidance of our former superintendent, Dr. Bill Davidson, who mentored me as a fellow school board member. Also it was my honor to work with former Superintendent Dr. Jim Gallagher, under whose leadership Pottsville Area achieved greatness. It is my fervent hope that our current superintendent will follow in their footsteps."
- "Students and visitors alike enjoy clean, well-maintained buildings and grounds thanks to our director of buildings and grounds, Kerry Ansbach, who has been doing his job magnificently for 30-plus years. Many times, Kerry isn't given the respect he truly deserves. He saves this district hundreds of thousands of dollars by his steadfast leadership."
In November, there were four seats up for election. The winners were two incumbents, John F. Boran and Charles R. Wagner, and two newcomers, Patrick F. Moran and Christina M. Dicello, according to the website for the Schuylkill County Election Bureau.
The school board will hold its reorganization meeting and appoint a president and vice president, appoint a solicitor for 2014 and hold a meeting for general purposes at 6 p.m. Dec. 2.
In other matters Wednesday, the board appointed the following coaches for the 2013-14 academic year at the following salaries:
- Boys basketball: Dave Mullaney, head coach, $5,700; John Toomey, assistant, $3,600; Tom McGeoy, junior varsity, $3,000; Jake Wartella, freshman, $3,000; Scott Reichert, eighth grade, $5,010; and Mick Kondrack, seventh grade, $2,800.
- Girls basketball: Rick Wojciechowsky, head coach, $4,800; Mike Sukeena Jr., varsity head coach, $3,000; Joseph Eckley, assistant varsity, $1,700; Serenity Allen, assistant junior varsity, $1,700.
- Wrestling: Gary Keener, head coach, $4,800; Jason Thomas, assistant, $2,600; Ryan Anderson Jr., high school head coach; $2,400; Ian Keck, assistant junior high coach, $2,400.
- Swimming: Ned Hampford, boys head coach, $5,050; Greg Schuettler, girls head coach, $4,050; James Lotz, co-assistant, $1,900; Robert Price, co-assistant, $1,900; Meredith Boris, co-assistant, $1,100; and Neil Johnson, co-assistant, $1,100.
- Winter track: Charlie Schuster, head coach, $3,350.
Other action the board took Wednesday included the following:
- Approved the retirement of Sharon Heckman, D.H.H. Lengle Middle School secretary, effective Feb. 13, 2014; Linda Pavao, high school administrative secretary, effective Jan. 14, 2014; and John Sutter, itinerant learning support teacher, effective Jan. 15, 2015.
- Accepted the resignation Heather Bondura, autistic support paraprofessional at John S. Clarke Elementary, retroactive to Nov. 7; and Michelle Melenchick, cafeteria ticket aide at John S. Clarke Elementary, retroactive to Oct. 2.
- Hired Bridget Schwartz as a part-time life skills support aide at the high school, retroactive to Oct. 11.
- Appointed teacher Lindsey Boncore as "senior mural advisor" for the 2013-14 academic year at a stipend of $400.