The recent Loyalsock School Board was mostly business as usual as the board largely focused on budgetary and personnel matters.

The board approved the appointment of Teri Key as supervisor of curriculum & instruction for the remainder of the 2023 to 2024 school year at a prorated salary of $120,000.

Following the vote, board member Tyler Richardson, who voted in favor of Key’s appointment based on her excellent record and recommendation, voiced his concern over the lack of information sharing between decision makers and the board.

“It appears that our superintendent continues to drive a wedge between the board members and the faculty/admins in not allowing us to create trusted relationships among each other,” he said. “I noticed the hiring committee appeared shocked to hear how little we knew about the questions and requests made to the superintendent to gain a better understanding of the hiring process.”

“I’m one of the heads on the chopping block that fingers will point to if a particular candidate is not the right choice,” he said. “No one will look at the hiring committee, they will look at the board that approved the position.”

“There is no wedge between the coordinators and administration,” countered Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin, adding that the system in place was used in the hiring of six administrators over the summer, including three principals, an assistant principal and a dean of students.

Civil engineering services to be provided by Hawbaker Engineering LLC in the amount of $23,9000 were approved. The funds will go towards land development design and permitting for an additional parking lot for the high school.

The board was implored by not only Richardson, but also a concerned parent to consider alternative spaces on campus for the future parking lot, lamenting the loss of the last substantial green space available to students on campus.

A further $3,000 was approved for Hawbaker to undertake a project to provide additional lighting for the practice field entrance along Four Mile Drive.

During public comments, a parent advised the board that it should look at options for the lighting project and the softball field upgrade simultaneously in order to avoid conflicting results that may need more money spent to correct later.

The board was also asked for an update on the softball field upgrade proposals presented during the January meeting, and was only told that progress would be forthcoming.

The same parent also voiced concerns over a girl’s bathroom, which he said has four stalls, with only one having a door.

Staff relayed that they were unfamiliar with such an issue, but would look into it and report back at the next meeting.

The board approved the IU17 Operating Budget for fiscal year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The budget does not include an allocation from Loyalsock. Each school is required to vote on the operating budget that the IU serves.

Rachael Hodecker was approved as full-time custodian at an hourly rate of $14.

Board member David Bjorkman, who joined the meeting virtually, was appointed to the district’s wellness committee.

The board also approved the renaming of the mat room after longtime wrestling coach Ben Hepburn.

The following athletic staff were approved for the high school baseball program with stipends: Jimmy Webb, $3,700; Eric Holz, $2,150; and Braydon Miller, $2,000.

The following athletic staff were approved for the junior high school soccer program with stipends: Mark Pysher, $2,000 and Emily Mort, $1,600.

The following athletic staff were approved for the high school softball program earning stipends: Mark Godfrey, $4,800; Randy Smith, $3,200; Eric McNulty, $2,150; and David Stopper, $2,000.

The following athletic staff were approved for the high school boys tennis program: Kirk Bower with a stipend of $4,000 and Marcus Williams with a stipend of $1,700.

Jess McCoy was approved for the high school boys’ track program, with a stipend of $3,500.

Matt Hill was approved for the high school girls’ track program, with a stipend of $5,500.

Brent Reinhart was approved for the high school track throwing program, with a stipend of $3,760.

Micah Beiter was approved for the junior high school track program, with a stipend of $2,000.

The board also approved Noah Bower, Rich Holz and Brad Walter as volunteers for the baseball program and Brian Bustin, Robert Chambers, Steve Ertel, Emilie Ertel and Lynnette Reitz approved as volunteers for the soccer program. Other approved volunteers include Aaron Hepburn for wrestling, Kayla McQuillen for softball, Sarah Malone for tennis and Breanna Free, Steve Halstead, Nick Hessert and Nicole Reed for track and field.

The board held an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The next board meeting will be held on March 6.