Votes related to the superintendent’s future and a vacant assistant principal position sharply divided the Jim Thorpe Area School Board on Wednesday night.

Some who wanted a new assistant principal at L.B. Morris showed frustration with those who voted to delay the hire.

“How are we supposed to manage the district if we don’t staff it?” said T.J. Garritano.

The L.B. Morris assistant principal position has been open since the beginning of the school year, when current Principal Jeff White was promoted to his current position.

A candidate for the job was on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, but the board voted 5-4 to table the motion - effectively ending the discussion of that agenda item. Voting against tabling the motion were Garritano, Cindy Lesisko-Henning, Paul Montemuro and board President Scott Pompa.

Garritano said leaving the position open is making it harder for students to make up the progress lost during the pandemic.

White oversees 600 students in grades K-8 at L.B. Morris. White said that it results in a slower response on discipline issues, and an overall lack of support for students.

Montemuro said the board is asking too much of White.

“I don’t even know why he stays. For me personally I’d say, ‘This is messed up, and I’m out of here,’?” Montemuro said.

Board member Jerry Strubinger said the position isn’t needed because L.B. Morris’ faculty includes teachers certified as principals who can fill in.

Later in the meeting, Garritano reintroduced the proposal under new business. He said he hoped a board member would change their vote. The same board members again successfully tabled the motion.

Pompa and Garritano asked board members to explain their votes.

Downs-Sheckler said she wouldn’t be bullied and threatened to leave the meeting. She said the discussion of a new hire should have occurred in an executive session for personnel.

“We’re elected officials, and I get to vote on how I feel comfortable,” she said.

When board member Glenn Confer tried to address Garritano, Garritano said Confer had “no right to talk” about the hiring decision because he doesn’t attend meetings.

“You don’t show up, you don’t participate. I’m not sure why you put your name in to run,” Garritano said.

The assistant principal discussion came after the board tabled a decision on the future of the district’s current superintendent.

John Rushefski’s initial three-year contract with the district expires in June.

Wednesday’s agenda included a motion with three options. The board could extend Rushefski’s contract by two or five years, or vote to consider new candidates for the position.

The same board members voted against tabling the motion on Rushefski’s future: Garritano, Henning, Montemuro and Pompa.

Prior to the vote, during public comment, some parents said they approve of the job Rushefski has done under difficult circumstances during the pandemic.

“I know he’s doing the best he can considering he just started with us,” said Debby York.