The Loyalsock Township School Board approved several staffing positions at its regular meeting Wednesday.

Boys Varsity Head Football Coach Justin Van Fleet will take the position of director of Innovation & Instructional Technology, effective Thursday, replacing long-term Director Eric Gee, who is slated to retire no later than June 5.

Van Fleet has led the varsity football program since 2012, and will receive a prorated salary of $97,000 for the 2025-26 school year.

Several questions regarding Van Fleet’s appointment were posed to the board by former member Melvin Wentzel.

“How many hours will Mr. Van Fleet be working with Mr. Gee prior to Mr. Gee’s leaving us?” he asked, before turning his attention to questions of who will head the varsity football program moving forward.

“Since Mr. Van Fleet is moving into an administrative position, will we be advertising for varsity football coaches? If an exception will be made for him to stay on as the coach, how will he be able to learn and transition to a districtwide administrative role and donate enough hours to adequately and satisfactorily complete both jobs for the school district?” Wentzel asked.

Additionally, Wentzel expressed his hope that the monetary generosity shown by the board towards new hires would be extended to those teachers currently negotiating new contracts.

In other staffing decisions, the board approved Dylan Casale as athletic & activities director, effective Feb. 23, with a prorated salary of $60,000 for the school year; Benjamin Shimmel as technology specialist, effective Feb. 17, with a prorated salary of $42,000 for the school year; the transfer of Lauren Frisco from part-time paraprofessional to full-time paraprofessional, effective Feb. 9; Kathleen Popowycz as a professional employee assigned as a district librarian/gifted teacher; a number of spring athletic personnel with stipends ranging from $3,900 to $5,500; and accepted the resignation of Kimberly Bigelow as a food service employee, effective Jan. 28.

The board will hold a special meeting for personnel items and policy revisions at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, followed by their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4.