The Loyalsock Township School Board approved several staffing positions and other items during its December board meeting Wednesday night.

The board approved the creation of a job description and position for a new assistant superintendent and appointed former township teacher and high school assistant principal Brooke Beiter, to the post, at a prorated salary of $130,000.

Other staff approved by the board include Stephen Hafele as High School Principal at a prorated salary of $105,000; Kristine Cole as a Long-Term Substitute School Nurse effective

Dec. 3. Cole will become a Temporary Professional Employee upon receipt of her Level I Certification-School Nurse; and the transfer of Jacob Dame from full-time custodian to part-time custodian, effective Nov. 30.

Prior to approval of a slew of fall and winter athletic personnel, board member Tyler Richardson, who voted “no” on the measure, voiced the need for a more thorough process moving forward.

“My decision is not based on the individual personnel selected, but rather the process by which we as board members are asked to vote on these appointments,” Richardson explained.

“Currently, the information provided to us can facilitate the names of the individuals and the sport they wish to coach. I believe it is crucial for us to be given at least a brief description of all new coaches’ relevant experience and their reason for wanting to take on the role,” he continued.

“This does not require an extensive resume or an in person interview, it’s simply a way for us to better understand who these individuals are and why they are a good fit and coaching position,” Richardson said, while cautioning against voting for all staff as a block.

“Rather than voting on every sport simultaneously, I believe it would be more beneficial to approve the coaches for each sport individually. This way we can move forward with the approval of the sports and the coaches that are ready to be finalized without delaying others,” he said.

“Breaking this process down would allow us to ensure that we are providing due consideration to each sport while keeping the approval process moving efficiently,” Richardson explained.

In other matters, the board approved the 2024-2027 Comprehensive Plan.

The plan will focus on strengthening four core areas within the district, including putting into place a multi-tier system through the elementary middle schools, improving attendance, attendance, career readiness and improving the orientation process for transition students.

In financial matters, the board approved a Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2029 contract for collection of business privilege taxes between the district and Dorothy White Mertz, Williamsport and set her rate at $4.50 per real estate bill collected and $4.50 per interim real estate bill collected.

Additionally, the board adopted a resolution pledging to not seek a waiver for the purpose of raising its tax rate above the index for the 2025-2026 school year.

During closing comments, board member David Bjorkman again called for the creation of a district level citizen advisory committee, which he again asserted could “provide valuable insights on matters of community concerns.”

Bjorkman also encouraged residents with questions or concerns to reach out to him via his board email.

“My board email is listed on the website. I’m happy to have a conversation with anyone,” he said.

“I say that because of the discussions that we had tonight about the situation during the spring critical incident,” Bjorkman said, noting that spoke with several concerned citizens in the aftermath.

“These conversations were not always in agreement, but they were always meaningful,” he stressed.

“We will leave agreeing sometimes, we’ll disagree sometimes, and that’s perfectly fine,” Bjorkman told those in attendance.

The next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15.