One of the longest present members of the Panther Valley School Board has resigned.

Anthony DeMarco of Nesquehoning, who was a former board president, submitted a letter of resignation Thursday evening, citing his work schedule as the reason.Superintendent Dennis R. Kergick praised DeMarco for his years of dedication to the district.A recommendation was made that William J. Mansberry Jr. be appointed to DeMarco's since Mansberry was elected on both parties in the May primary election to serve on the board.Board member Dan Heaney said that while he doesn't object to Mansberry, he would prefer waiting until the entire school board is present to vote on the matter. Only five members were available for Thursday's meeting, and one of them participated by telephone. Absent besides DeMarco were Joseph Faenza, Christopher Kerestes and Gary Porembo. Present besides Heaney were board President Wayne Gryzik, Vice President Keith Krapf, Secretary Renee DeMelfi and Treasurer Irene Genther, who participated by phone.The board will meet again at 7 p.m. Aug. 24.In other matters the board was given a review of the cafeteria program for the 2017-18 school year by Bill Budd, regional manager of The Nutrition Group, and Laurie Mount, food services director.They explained various events planned, including "taste the goodness," in which secondary students will discover something new every month; "recipe of the month" featuring homestyle foods, and "tasty specials" where middle school students are offered tasty monthly specials with a healthy twist."Farm to Fork" will be offered through November in which items grown at local farms will be on the menu."Wellness Wednesday" will provide new combinations of fruits and vegetable recipes to elementary students to sample.In other businessThe board also approved various personnel matters. They are:• Accepted the resignation of Lauren Bochicchio of junior senior high school special education teacher.• Accepted the resignation of Christine Diekman as elementary teacher effective Nov. 3. She is retiring after 32 years in the district.• Accepted the resignation of James Hull as Spanish teacher. Hull will continue for 60 days or until a replacement is hired.• Lanae Patton-McKelvey was hired as a full-time school psychologist at a salary of $65,000.• Megen Wasilewski was hired as a full-time physical education teacher at the junior senior high school at a salary of $42,060.• Kiersten Rivera was hired as a full-time business education teacher at a salary of $38,607.• Karen Smith was hired as a part-time dishwasher at the junior senior high school at the rate of $12.45 per hour.• Carol Taylor was hired as a guest substitute teacher.• Deborah Rohlfing was added to the list of substitute aides at the rate of $8.90 per hour.• Joseph Perelli and Robert Stranger was approved as volunteer football coaches.• Richard Evanko Jr. will serve as intermediate school disciplinarian at a salary of $1,850.• Tenure was given to Lauren Bochicchio, Cynthia Levis, Tonia Miletto, Gerald New, Candace Olson, John Smulowitz, Ashley Stratchko and Lauren Yerkes. The superintendent said each has completed three years of service with six satisfactory ratings.• Gabrielle Martin was granted a transfer to junior senior high school life skills from the school's emotional support teacher.