It was a full house Wednesday night as the Loyalsock Township School Board approved the creation of a new assistant superintendent position and voted to appoint current assistant executive director of BlaST IU17, Brooke Beiter, to the position.

“During the high school principal search and interview process, it was brought to our attention that Dr. Beiter had interest in returning to Loyalsock Township, where she had taught for many years and was an assistant principal under Dr. Reitz,” board president Hal Gee said at the start of the meeting

“During these discussions, we learned of Mr. McLaughlin’s intention to retire upon completion of his current contract in 2027. The majority of the school board saw this as an opportunity to bring Dr. Beiter on as an assistant superintendent during Mr. McLaughlin’s last two years, to work directly with him in preparation of becoming the next superintendent of schools, putting a succession plan in place while the opportunity presented itself,” Gee continued.

It was stressed by the board that current superintendent Gerald McLaughlin is fully in support of the plan.

Noting that there were several public inquiries related to the lack of advertising of, or interview process to identify potential candidates, township solicitor Christopher Kenyon stressed that there is nothing in the school code, state statutory scheme or policies that requires the board to do so.

Beiter’s prorated salary of $130,000 for the 2024-2025 school year will come from the unassigned fund balance, with subsequent terms being incorporated into the school’s yearly budget, business manager Daniel Egly said.

Public comments in opposition to the approval were voiced by residents prior to the vote.

“You’re creating a position tonight. You’re creating a job description tonight, and you’re hiring a person all in one night,” said resident Paul Young, saying he felt the position was being created specifically for Beiter.

“The board approves the recommendations of the administration. The board does not do the hiring or the recommending of a hire. It does not say ‘recommended by the administration’ on this agenda, it is recommended by the board,” Young said.

He also took issue with Beiter’s salary, expressing his belief that it would inevitably lead to a tax increase.

“I’m very concerned that this sounds an awful lot like politics, where one hand is creating a job for another guy,” said resident Ben Hepburn.

“$130,000 for an assistant superintendent that would basically be an apprentice at this job — most apprentices don’t require any salary. They’re learning on the job,” he said.

“You’ve overlooked your whole administrative staff in any school here, and this is how you create disgruntled employees. They didn’t have an opportunity to even apply for this job,” Hepburn said.

Hepburn also pointed to what he referred to as a “mass exodus” from BlaST during Beiter’s time there.

“I have nothing against Ms. Beiter, but she was in charge of the IU. She has to take some blame for that,” Hepburn said.

The lone dissenting vote came from board member Melvin Wentzel.

“Loyalsock Township School District does not need the position of assistant superintendent. Being a very small school district, there is no need to have a major administrative position,” Wentzel said.

“This district has two school buildings, housing three schools, each with two adequate administrators to handle the day-to-day duties and the issues that arise,” he continued, adding that the approval constitutes a substantial financial commitment.

“Since I have come to the district, the board has not, to my knowledge, ever created a position for a specific person,” Wentzel also stated, though he stressed that his “no” vote was not reflective of a lack of trust in Beiter to fulfill the duties being entrusted to her.

“My vote is in no way to be construed as a vote against Dr. Beiter, but rather against the creation or establishing of a new administrative position of assistant superintendent,” he said.

“I personally find Dr. Beiter to be an extremely competent, very accomplished educator with multiple successful, pertinent educational experiences attached to her resume. I thank her for showing her professional and personal interest in returning to the Loyalsock Township School District,” Wentzel said.

“It’s with extreme gratitude that I accept the position this evening after an affirmative vote,” Beiter offered.

“I am honored to be returning to the district that not only launched my career, but I also serve as an alum of this district. I am returning to many familiar faces that were trusted colleagues just a few short seven years ago,” She said.

“I respect the comments of the community this evening, and hopefully over time and rebuilding that trust and track record, I can gain your support,” Beiter said. “I will work tirelessly to do that in service to this community.”

Beiter’s new position is currently slated to be phased out no later than June 30, 2028.