At the recent Jim Thorpe Area school board meeting, Thomas McLaughlin has removed himself from consideration for the Jim Thorpe Area School District assistant superintendent search.

McLaughlin was previously on the short list for the hotly contended position before he was found to lack an advanced human resources certificate at the January board meeting. The hiring decision had been tabled for further consideration. Superintendent Brian Gasper has reached out to the Policy and Committee committee to see what they can do moving forward.

In other business

• Samantha George was approved as an elementary education teacher, BS Step 1, with a salary of $44,170.

• Paraprofessional Sarah Woodman’s retirement, set for the end of the 2017-18 school year, was accepted.

• Paraprofessional Mary McHugh’s retirement, set for June 30, 2018, was accepted.

• Elementary education teacher Kathryn McFadden’s retirement, set for June 30, 2018, was accepted.

• The board approved the posting of two paraprofessional positions. An elementary education teacher position, and a long-term secondary special education teacher position, with the special education position beginning mid-April 2018.

• Thomas Garritano and Timothy Hubbard were approved as volunteer baseball coaches.

• The 2018-19 Carbon Career and Technical Institute proposed operating budget was approved.

• Dr. Clem McGinley and Dr. Michael Principe were approved to attend the National School Boards Association Conference from April 7 to April 9 in San Antonio, Texas. The estimated cost for the trip, including transportation and lodging, is between $5,000 and $6,000.