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The South Williamsport Area School Board acknowledged the resignation of Business Manager Jamie Mowrey and approved several items at their monthly meeting Monday evening.
Mowrey's last day with the district will be Dec. 4.
"Anytime you come in as a superintendent of a school district, one of your your right hand man or woman is your business manager, and that's one of the can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences because it's very important that they align with your core values and what you stand for as a school district," Superintendent Dr. Eric Briggs said.
"One of the things I appreciated most in working with Jamie is that she always kept the humanistic side and the student-centered approach of why we're here and what the core mission of our work as a school district is, and that is keeping students first. And you don't always see that in all arenas and in all school districts," he said, adding that Mowrey has been with the district for 16 years, five of those, working alongside Briggs.
"You'll be greatly missed. I'll miss being able to bounce ideas off of you. It's been truly an honor and a pleasure working with you. In speaking with other business managers in the county, they're going to miss you as a colleague," the superintendent continued.
"I wish you nothing but the best of luck as you move forward into your new working endeavors. And I know whatever that may be, you will be successful and do a great job," he concluded.
"As a retiree, former teacher and board member, it's been a pleasure. Every retiree and teacher that I know that found out when you were retiring was sad to see you go," offered board member John Hitesman.
"During my tenure here, you've always been the business manager, and I've asked some dumb questions when it comes to finances, and she never made me feel this big, was always with the utmost professionalism and helped me in so many different ways to understand everything coming into all this," Board President Todd Engel said.
In other staffing matters, the board approved Karen Fink, Benjamin Kutay and Julie Pentico as certified substitutes; Helena Yancey as Girls JV Head Basketball Coach, with a stipend of $4,000; a number of volunteers for the 2026-27 Winter Season; several game workers and managers for the 2026-27 Winter Season at rates of $30 and $40 per game, respectively; and acknowledged the resignation of Leah Steppe as part-time custodian, effective November 6.
In financial matters, the board approved budgetary transfers in relation to the settlement of the teachers' agreement and the Act 93 agreement; Dwight Woodley, director of innovative learning & information systems, to work with Kristin Van Strein Consulting on E-Rate Category 2 funding for the 2027-28 funding year; an agreement with Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit for additional school psychologist services to support students enrolled in the district, at a rate of $725 per day, up to 20 days out of a year for total of $14,500, effective November 3 to June 30, 2027, unless earlier terminated by the school district; the purchase of a cart for the new padded chairs, at a cost of $1,312.49; and Dwight Woodley's video scoreboard content creator and operator proposal, with a stipend of $5,600. If there are playoff games they will be $100 extra per game.
Other items receiving board approval include the Attorney-Client Contingent Fee Agreement with the Levin Legal Groups, P.C., to provide legal services in connection with pursuing claims for damages associated with social media litigation, at no cost to the district; and second readings of policies related to trauma invested approach, school wellness, bullying/cyberbullying, maintenance; and the School calendar.
The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16.