COAL TOWNSHIP - Four years ago, a "team" of individuals came together to campaign to serve on the Shamokin Area School Board and got elected, coming in like a lion. On Tuesday, they went out quietly with no fanfare.
Five of Shamokin Area's nine school board members attended their final meeting, including board President Charles Carpenter, and members Daniel Venn, Barry Rebuck, Todd Hockenbroch and Mark Anonia.
Known as the "Committee for Quality Education," Carpenter, Venn, Rebuck and Hockenbroch, along with candidate Dan Clark, campaigned together in 2007 together on a platform of "education first" for students. All but Clark earned seats in 2007, but the team was voted out in the 2011 primary election as they attempted to be re-elected.
Anonia lost in the Nov. 8 election, but served eight years on the board, beginning in 2003.
There were no board or public comments concerning the member's final meeting, except from district building and grounds coordinator Dave Petrovich.
"It has been a pleasure working with you guys. Thank you for all your assistance," Petrovich said.
Many in attendance offered well-wishes following the meeting. Hockenbroch was not in attendance due to a death in the family.
Of the five leaving, only Venn spoke, acknowledging teachers and administrators.
"I want to commend the district employees for all their fine work done on improving PSSA scores," Venn said. "This came from the board not telling them to do it, but empowering them to take the lead, and I thank you for your hard work."
In December, former members Robert Getchey and Ronald McElwee and new members Jeff Kashner, Charles Shuey and Bernard Sosnoskie will be sworn in, joining members LaRue Beck, Edward Griffiths, Brian Persing and Tracey Witmer.
The board voted Tuesday to hold the annual reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, in the district's board conference room. In past years, the meeting has been held at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center.
In other business
The board voted 8-0 to accept the resignations of head girls soccer coach Kurt Jones, effective Oct. 25, and assistant varsity girls soccer coach Kayla Greco, effective Oct. 22. Permission was also granted to advertise for applicants for the positions.
A request was approved for school psychologist Kyle Brown to attend the National Association of School Psychologists Convention in Philadelphia in February.
Courtney Ososkie was named part-time public education information management systems coordinator for Shamokin Area, working three hours a day, 260 days a year at Northwestern Academy at a rate of $8.25 an hour plus paid leave days provided to non-classified employees.
Jeff Goodman was named head junior high wrestling coach with Stephen Kowalchick named as his assistant. Volunteer assistant coaches for the winter sports season appointed by the board were Jarrod Scandle for junior high wrestling and Robert Getchey for eighth grade girls basketball.