Panther Valley School District has approved the contract for the JROTC Senior Army Instructor, with a vote of 5-3, and one abstention. A similar motion to approve the appointment of Major Ken Markovich last month died for lack of a second.

Panther Valley resident Robert Graver, who was instrumental in establishing the Panther Valley JROTC program in the 1970s, volunteered to review the JROTC policies with Superintendent Rosemary Porembo at last month's meeting. Graver reported back to the board last night, saying the district was "100 percent in compliance with the regulations."He added that "Mrs. Porembo fully understands every chapter of that regulation."Board member Irene Genther questioned Graver as to Markovich's compensation package."Is this position paying more than an active serviceman of the same rank, who is serving over in Afghanistan?" she asked. Graver answered that the pay Markovich is receiving is identical to what an active soldier of the same rank would receive, including a housing and subsistence allowance.Genther, Mickey Angst, and Koreen Nalesnik voted against the motion. Board President Jeff Markovich abstained from the vote, as Major Markovich is his brother.The board approved additional hirings and transfers, including Lisa Rubin from middle school secretary to high school secretary; Amanda Kusko as teacher of the gifted; Tanya Lilly as a full-time permanent elementary art teacher; and Candice Gimbor from high school math teacher to middle school special education teacher. William Lukshides, Ashley Price and Tonia Miletto were hired as 75 Day on-call substitutes for the 2011-2012 school year. Donna M. Jones, LPN was added to the substitute nurse list for the 2011-12 school year.Gimbor's transfer raised questions with Angst, who wanted to know why the district held interviews for the position when it was filled from within. Porembo explained that under the PVEA contract, anyone working within the district can be awarded an interview, but they are not necessarily guaranteed a position.Other board members took issue with Angst over the matter, saying that he had posted confidential information from the board packet on his blog prior to the meeting. Board member David Hiles said that until the board votes to approve the proposed agenda, it is confidential information.Angst has found himself in hot water before over releasing confidential information and the board previously voted not to share such information with him prior to the meeting. Angst said that he received his agenda via email."The courts have ruled that emails are not confidential," said Angst.Angst voted no on several other items on the agenda that were included in the board packet, due to the fact that he had not been able to review them prior to the meeting.Board president Markovich indicated that the board could face legal trouble from the teachers' union due to the release of sensitive information prior to the meeting."Mr. Angst has pretty much hung us out there," he said.Nalesnik told Angst that the other candidates for the position would be able to file a grievance against Angst."Take me to court. I welcome it," he replied.The board approved cafeteria contracts for Our Lady of the Angels, Educare Educational Services, and Behavioral Health Associates for the upcoming school year.The board approved payment of $89,000 to Ritter & Paratone Contracting, Inc. for the demolition of the Verta building. They also approved the installation of a chain-link fence and gates at the stadium, where the building used to stand, in the amount of $10,600.The school bus stop at Ludlow and Elm Streets in Summit Hill was moved to White and Elm Streets, as requested by the borough of Summit Hill.Amber Vachon and Andrea Rodgers were approved as fall cheerleading coaches. Vachon will receive $500 and Rodgers is a volunteer. Football coach Broc Hazlet was transferred from an $1,800 salary to $2,100. Ian Schreffler was transferred from a volunteer position to a salaried one, at $1,800, and Richard Zabroski was appointed as a volunteer.The board approved a change in assessed value from $44,872 to $38,061 for a property at 109 W. Abbott St. in Lansford, owned by Jack Soberick and Mary Kruczek.The board approved changes to the uniform policy, including the banning of gel bracelets and hair that impedes vision. Grey sneakers were approved and shoelaces must be the same as the predominate color of the shoe.Porembo advised the board that the district's website has been updated and refreshed. Student handbooks will only be available online, instead of distributed. Students and families that do not have access to the Internet will be provided with hard copies."At three inches of paper per student and 1700 students, that's quite a savings to the district," she said.Resident John Barna addressed the board regarding allegations he made of what he called "hanky-panky" at the last board meeting. Barna said that he fully understood that he was not supposed to speak about what was discussed in executive session regarding the matter; however, he claimed that he heard "in the street" that the members of the board were trying to sue him for slander.Barna and district solicitor Robert Yurchak exchanged words and then Barna left the meeting. Barna and security guard John Ruzicka were overheard exchanging heated words in the hallway.At the request of Porembo, the board also held a moment of silence in memory of district employee Beth Dailey, who passed away last month."She was part of the Panther Valley family since 2001," said Porembo, "and she did an outstanding job. It is a big loss to our district and the high school office."