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Montoursville school board defends superintendent hiring

The Montoursville Area School Board acted on personnel and considered other matters raised by disgruntled district residents during its most recent meeting.

During the public comment period of the meeting, Sharon Meyer questioned the board about the assistant superintendent position.

The board, she noted, hired Dan Taormina for that job, before later approving him for the superintendent position which became vacant in September with the retirement of Christina Bason.

Why, she asked, is there no longer a need for an assistant superintendent?

Board President Dave Shimmel explained that the assistant superintendent position had been created to perform duties not assigned to any person in the district.

"We were filling a need for a curriculum director and communications," he said.

Taormina, he said, is now doing a good job providing communications to the public.

Meyer accused the board of not being transparent about the issue.

"You said you had a discussion with Mrs. Bason and discussed succession and that's why the position was created," she told Shimmel.

"That's a mischaracterization," Shimmel said.

"Essentially, we were lied to as taxpayers, and that's our money," Meyer said.

Shimmel said he was hurt by what she said.

He continued to defend the hiring, noting that Taormina successfully fulfilled the duties needed.

Shimmel told Meyer there are no plans to fill the now-vacant assistant superintendent position.

Eventually, Taormina intervened in the discussion.

"I think it's time we end this debate on personnel," he said.

In other matters, the board was questioned about funding for the student ski club.

Meyer told the board she was disappointed that a request for $1,800 to cover transportation costs for ski trips could not be granted.

"There has to be $1,800 somewhere. I just don't think it's a lot to ask," she said.

Another resident told the board that skiing is a good outside activity for kids and often leads to a lifelong recreational pursuit.

She said $1,800 amounts to "a small price to pay" for kids to enjoy skiing.

Meyer questioned why other activities receive funding and not the ski club.

"It's just sad," she said.

Board member Ron Snell said some residents are upset about the changes made to the district website.

He noted the website is now less user-friendly.

Taormina said the website now provides more information to the public.

During the meeting, the board received a brief presentation from the Montoursville District Foundation.

Created to help with student development and educational improvement, the Foundation raises money to fund programs and activities for learning.