Jeff Markovich was re-elected president of the Panther Valley School Board at its reorganization meeting on Thursday.

John Williams will continue serving as vice president.All the officers were reappointed.Michelle Markovich is the board secretary and Anthony DeMarco is treasurer.Michelle Markovich will also continue to serve as the board's representative on the Joint Operating Committee of the Carbon Career & Technical Institute. Irene Genther will be the alternate representative.Superintendent Dennis R. Kergick presented Jeff Markovich with a certificate from the Pennsylvania School Board Association for serving as a school board member for eight consecutive years.The board announced that it expects to have its new budget ready for tentative adoption at a meeting on Jan. 22.Margaret Trusa was hired as a substitute instructional aide at the rate of $8.90 per hour.Nicole Hajcak, an elementary teacher, was given permission to take three credit courses at Wilkes University at a cost of $85 per credit. The courses will be "how to identify and combat bullying in our schools."Amber Forster, an elementary teacher, can take a three-credit course at Wilkes University on "issues, laws & trends in education" at a cost of $423 per credit.Marie Kamm was added to the list of bus monitors.The following conferences were approved by the board:• Lisa Ogozalek truancy court, Pottsville, on Nov. 10 at a cost of $31.36 for mileage.• Mary Figura Principal's meeting at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit on Dec. 5. There was no cost to the district.• Marta McLaughlin, Barbara Hadnagy, and Kim Scarella SAS Institute Mentor Program at Hershey on Dec. 8 and 9, at a cost each of $100 to the district, $78.40 for mileage, and $180 for a substitute. This fee is repaid with a grant. Mary Figura also will attend but will not require a substitute.• Mary Ellen Greco can attend certification for Standard Aptitude Tests in Bethlehem on Feb. 23, 24, and 25 at a cost of $375 to the district.• Dora Doderaro will attend training for touch cohort/prologquo apps on Jan. 16 at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit. There is no cost to the district.New softball coach Candace Olson was denied permission to attend a softball coaches clinic on Jan. 22, 23, and 24 in Brielle, New Jersey. The total cost to the district would have been $691.10. The rejection was by an 8-1 vote. Only Jeffrey Markovich supported the request.The board approved a refund of $125 to Lansford resident Catherine Raabe for overpayment of occupation tax. Raabe had appealed her classification from no response letter to cashier. The assessment change had been approved by the Carbon County Board of Assessment.Diane Welsh and Samantha Washousky were added to the list of chaperones at the elementary school.