The end of the 2019-20 school year will bring with it three retirements in Palmerton Area School District.

During its meeting Tuesday night, Palmerton’s board of directors accepted the retirements of Cheryl Hummer, special education teacher; Deborah Heydt, health room technician; and Deborah Sheckler, confidential secretary to the superintendent.

“A lot of times these retirements don’t get recognized as they should since they are part of our consent agenda, but I know these individuals have given many years to this district and deserve a lot of accolades,” Director Tammy Recker said. “Our district is a better place because of all they have done, and I wanted to give them the proper send-off.”

While he’s only been with the district since October, interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Lonoconus said he’s gotten to know the individuals, and their retirements will undoubtedly be felt throughout the district.

“Deb Sheckler has been fantastic in helping me,” Lonoconus said. “There is a lot of institutional knowledge there, and hopefully I can convince her to stay on as a consultant as we transition to the next superintendent.”

In other board action on Tuesday, directors:

• Approved the first reading of policies dealing with facilities planning, sanitary management, maintenance, property records, capitalization of assets, disposal of surplus property and obsolete equipment, lending of school owned equipment, and use of school facilities by employees.

• Suspended all Palmerton Area School District policies that govern retention and/or promotion requirements for the 2019-20 school year until June 30, 2020.

• Approved Kyna Gibson as a substitute instructional assistant, effective April 22.