by justin strawser
CATAWISSA RR - The Southern Columbia Area School Board regretfully accepted the resignation of middle school principal Roger M. Numkester at its meeting Monday night.
He said he's taking a job in the private sector, but was not willing to share where he was headed.
"I miss the classroom. I miss the kids," he said in further discussing the issue by phone Tuesday morning. "After last school year, I asked the superintendent about going back in the classroom. Unfortunately, there are no teaching jobs available."
Numkester has been with the district five years, but has been in the education field 22 years. He taught in Williamsport for a year and then in Bloomsburg for 16 years as an elementary teacher.
He said he is most proud of helping implement the reading apprenticeship - a literacy-based program that teaches reading in every class - and Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports - a program to build a positive school climate. Both of these programs will be fully implemented in the next school year.
"I will definitely have conversation with the new person to transition them," he said.
He also noted pride in that the middle school walls were painted with positive sayings and slogans, words of wisdom read at the beginning of each social studies class and the parent-teacher organization buying T-shirts with the school slogan on it for students entering fifth grade.
"It was a great time. I had a good run," he said. "It's not because of Southern. I love it here."
Superintendent Charlie Reh thanked Numkester Monday night for his great service to the district and complimented his positive relationships with staff and students.
"I wish you the best of luck in your future," he said.
President Mike Yeager echoed those comments.
"You've done a lot of great things for our students and the community," he said.
Robert Mehalick, director of special education and student services, said the district couldn't ask for someone better, and said Numkester would be missed.
His last day is July 8. Reh said a recommendation to replace Numkester will likely be presented to the board in July.
Oiler to resign
Director Jennifer Oiler informed the board of her intention to resign from her position. She has served since December 2009.
Due to budget cuts proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett, she explained, her position as director of elementary and secondary education for the Bloomsburg Area School District is being furloughed as of July 2.
"I am resigning because I need to focus all of my time and attention on finding my next position," she said.
She will submit her resignation this week. The board will likely vote on it Monday.
In other business, the board approved:
- Three change orders in the current building project. The first was $939 in relation to extra work required for the new oil tank and relocation of a new transformer. The second was a credit of $41,154 to the district for the installation of aluminum rather than copper conductors. The third was $43,052 required by PPL for material as a result of the relocation of a new transformer.
- Extending the retirement incentive deadline to June 20.
- A contract revision of Reh, which will allow him to take a pay freeze in the 2012-13 school year rather than the 2011-2012 school year. He will not take a pay freeze this year, but rather the last year of his contract.
- Schaeffer, Eichner and Wagner LLP to audit the financial records of the 2010-11 through 2011-12 fiscal years not to extend the fees of $14,100 and $14,400 respectfully.
- School lunches to cost $1.25 for breakfast, $2 for elementary lunch, $2.25 for high school lunch and $3.25 for adult lunch. The costs are a quarter higher than they were for the previous school year.
The board will vote on the 2011-12 general fund budget in the amount of $16,473,216 at next week's meeting.