Superintendent, solicitor positions open at N.S.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - With the start of the new school year on July 1, the North Schuylkill School District began looking for a new superintendent and solicitor.

The two positions became open at midnight when the contract of solicitor and Interim Superintendent Mark Semanchik ended. The openings were announced at Tuesday's special meeting of the North Schuylkill Board of Education.

Board Vice President Robert Orth offered the motions near the close of the meeting.

"Mr. Semanchik's contract as acting superintendent and also solicitor will expire tonight at midnight. Therefore, I would like to advertise for the position of superintendent for the North Schuylkill School District according to the public school code," said Orth.

After the motion was approved unanimously, Orth motioned to advertise for the position of solicitor, asking for "request for proposals."

"I would like to do that for any qualified solicitor who is familiar with education law," said Orth.

Again, the motion was accepted unanimously.

Orth also motioned to retain Nickolas Sosik Jr. as interim business manager at $60 per hour for the purpose of closing out 2008-2009 fiscal year and prepare the district for the new fiscal year. Sosik was retained in a unanimous vote.

After the votes, Orth commented on the service Semanchik gave to the school district for more than 20 years.

"I would like to point out and commend him for his ongoing commitment to the school district, which has spanned two decades." Orth said. "I don't want this controversy to overshadow anything. I do know Mr. Semanchik to be a excellent gentleman and highly intelligent. I would like everyone to know that he deserves a commendation for his ongoing commitment to this school district."

Orth's remarks were followed by a loud round of applause from the public.

Ringtown closing

During Tuesday's meeting, which had more than 100 people in attendance, several residents spoke up about the Ringtown Area Elementary Center, which was closed by the previous school board at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. If not being used as an education facility, the building and most of the property reverts to the Borough of Ringtown.

"I'm here to ask you to postpone the closing of the Ringtown school. As Mr. Wetzel pointed out, our kids do deserve the best, and Ringtown is the best," said one Ringtown resident, who referred to Robert Wetzel, a former school board member who spoke earlier in the meeting in support of the proposed track and football field improvement.

Another Ringtown parent, Brian Wolfe, who is also a teacher at the North Schuylkill Elementary (NSE) School, told the school board that it would be better to keep the Ringtown students at the new school rather than sending them back to the former facility if it is reopened.

"I'm a teacher at NSE. My children go to NSE and I live in Ringtown," said Wolfe. "I can speak for a couple of families who are very concerned. They have sent their children to NSE. In the event that Ringtown stays open, we are very concerned that our children will have to go back to Ringtown. We just ask that the children who are at NSE are able to stay at NSE. We don't want our children sent back and forth between the two schools."

Some district residents supported keeping the Ringtown school closed, noting that when the Ashland and Frackville schools were closed, the students became more familiar with their fellow classmates at the new school, and that it was easier for those students to transition to the junior high school.

One resident added that it was time for the boroughs and township in the school district to come together as one school community.

Board President Robin Hetherington said the school board has not made a final decision on the Ringtown school.

"We are considering what our next step of action will be," said Hetherington.

Hetherington called for a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the high school.

Other business

In other business, the board approved the following 2009 fall assistant coaches and salaries, pending clearances:

- Bob Moyer, football, $5,000.

- John Chernewski, football, $4,525.

- Greg Gressens, football, $1,250.

- Glenn Geist, football, $1,850.

- Anthony Fanelli, football, $1,250.

- Doug Fetterolf, football, $1,250.

- Ed Pavalko, football, $950.

- Nick Kustmeda, volleyball, $1,100.

- Fran O'Keefe, cross country, $1,100.

- Kelly Laudeman, JV/freshman football cheerleading, $950.

- Michael Reinoehl, girls basketball, $800.

The board also appointed Jason Kessler, Ashland, as volunteer wrestling coach for 2009-2010 season.