Loyalsock Township School District Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin stepped away from the position he has held since July 2014 Wednesday night, as the district’s school board voted to accept his retirement, effective Sept. 30, 2025.

McLaughlin served the district for approximately 25 years.

Board President Hal Gee highlighted several of McLaughlin’s accomplishments while with the district.

McLaughlin served as business manager with the district from Nov. 6, 2000 to June 30, 2014, taking up the role of acting Superintendent in 2009, and guided the elementary school through its consolidation project in 2004, Gee said.

“I happened to be the project manager as a much younger civil engineer with hair on that project, and worked with Jerry hand in hand for a long time on that first Schick addition project,” Gee said.

“That was my first experience with Jerry and how fiscally responsible he was to the district as a business manager, which has carried on through his replacement,” he continued.

Other projects during McLaughlin’s tenure include new construction at the middle school, high school renovations, with the addition of six classrooms, a renovated the bus garage in 2015, renovation of the auditorium in 2018, a new maintenance building in 2017, and continuous building projects through 2024.

Prior to the board meeting, a reception was held in McLaughlin’s honor, during which one of the board members that originally hired him made mention of the district’s iPad initiative.

“That was unheard of at the time, and just for our classroom to have it, let alone K through 12, and where that initiative has come was a huge accomplishment,” Gee said.

“During Jerry’s tenure here, he established one of the first school police forces in the state. And first and foremost of Jerry’s accomplishments, he’s kept our students safe,” the board president said.

Other notable moments from McLaughlin’s time at the district include the sale of the Chief Oil & Gas building on Sycamore Road, which generated over $1.2 million for the district, and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That’s when I came on the board, and one of my first comments during the interview was how well they handled it compared to other districts in the region,” Gee said.

“In 25 years, he’s mentored countless employees and teachers. He’s coached here. He’s worn many, many hats,” he continued.

“He took our fund balance from $2 million to $10 million over the course of his career, and we continue to have the lowest tax millage in Lycoming County,” Gee noted, adding that the district is in the top 10% of schools in the state and the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.

“Not every district in the area can say that they lead the county in SPP scores year after year,” Gee said.

McLaughlin has raised over $800,000 in community donations for projects across all of the district’s campuses, and has secured over $475,000 in safe school competitive grant writing, Gee said.

“Jerry has spent countless hours since the early days that I’ve known him applying for grants. We all know the time painstaking task that is applying for grants. Some you get, some you don’t. But he continued on and was always looking out for the best interest of the Loyalsock Township School District,” Gee said.

Most recently, McLaughlin was awarded the PMEA Superintendent of the Year award in 2024.

Outside of his service to the district, McLaughlin served eight years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force and 15 years of reserves in the Delaware Air National Guard, obtaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, Gee said.

“I have known Jerry longer than anyone in this room. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him as a student, an athlete, business manager and superintendent,” board member Melvin Wentzel said.

“Regardless of his position, I have always recognized his strong work ethic and approach to making whatever group he was a part of successful,” he continued.

“I have clearly observed his hands-on approach to assisting everyone. Many who have had similar positions fall far short of putting forth the energy Jerry expends in helping the staff succeed,” Wentzel said.

“Thank you, Mr. McLaughlin. I wish you the very best in your well deserved retirement as you now rewire into new adventures and experiences,” Wentzel concluded.

Following the vote to accept the resignation, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Brooke Beiter was approved to take McLaughlin’s place, effective Oct. 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.

Beiter’s previously held position as Assistant Superintendent was then abolished by the board.