Panther Valley Superintendent Rosemary Porembo introduced Joseph Gunnels, the new high school principal, to the school board last night. Gunnels, an educator since 1994, is taking over the helm of the high school from interim principal Dr. Robert Mauro, who filled in when George Gillespie resigned in January. Gunnels most recently worked for the Bangor Area School District.

Porembo also advised the Board that the administration and several teachers will be attending training for the State's Standards Aligned System (SAS). "This is everything that we teach for the PSSA test," she said. "They finally got it right. They finally have all the materials, lesson plans, everything that we need in one place." Ultimately all of the teachers in the district will receive the training. The district has already received a $15,000 "Thinkfinity" grant to train the high school math teachers in SAS.Director Anthony DeMarco, the Board's representative to CCTI, made a motion to approve the Panther Valley Superintendent to be named the Superintendent of Record at CCTI, without a stipend; however, he recommended that the board not vote for the motion.The board had previously discussed the rotating position, and determined that previous holders of the job had been paid a stipend. The motion was denied unanimously.The board accepted resignations due to retirement from Carol Drosdak, cafeteria worker, and Joan Schweibinz and Joseph Schweibinz, part time custodians. They also accepted the resignation of Emily Reiner Wank, high school math teacher, effective no later than May 10. Carol Turner, part time custodian, also resigned, effective February 5th. Elaina Reinmiller and Jason Shellhammer were added to the list of substitute teachers, at a per diem rate of $85. Martin Maurer was added to the list of substitute custodians. Roxanne Bonner transferred from an instructional aide at the high school to elementary school ESL support.All scholarship information will now be handled exclusively through the high school guidance office. The motion was made at the request of Director David Hiles, who added that he wanted personnel with that experience handling that information.Vicki Stahr, the cafeteria manager, noted that the cafeteria is running well. She added that the District has started working on applying for a fresh fruit and vegetable grant and a kitchen equipment grant.The board voted to ratify a curtailment services agreement with Clear Choice Energy. Business manager Kenneth Marx, Jr. explained that in the event that the power grid becomes overloaded, particularly in the summertime, when school is not in session, the power company may call the District and ask that they reduce their power consumption to free up more power for other customers. The District would receive a stipend of approximately $50,000 over the next three years for their participation.The 2009 occupation tax in the amount of $245 was refunded to Edward J. Watkins, of Nesquehoning.Professional School Photography, of Tuscarora, was approved as the school photographer for Panther Valley for the 2010-2011 school year.The Board approved an agreement between Panther Valley and Behavior Health Associates to provide occupational therapy services in fulfillment of the IEP mandated services beginning April 1, 2010, at a rate of $186 per hour.