Editor''s note: This story has been update to correct Mary Figura's title and retirement status.

The Lehighton Area School District Board of Education voted Monday night to accept the rescission of Mary M. Figura’s resignation for retirement, effective Aug. 2.

She will continue in her position as assistant to the superintendent.

Figura will retire at her contracted benefits and the board will negotiate a fee for her temporary services.

The action comes at a time when the district is searching for a new superintendent following the departure of Dr. Christina Fish.

At its May 10 meeting, the board said its members and Fish mutually agreed to amicably end their contractual agreement, effective May 31, and agreed to hire John W. Corby as acting superintendent at a rate of $680 per day as of June 1.

Fish was hired in June 2022 to a contract through Aug. 31, 2025, at a salary of $132,500 per year with a $7.500 signing bonus and a 3% increase per year to follow.

On May 13, the board followed its separation action by approving a buyout plan of $114,942.01, plus benefits, for Fish.

Controversy followed the series of events in that director Barbara Bowes challenged the process of removing Fish from the position, saying she was not informed of discussions. Reports are that in April, board President Jeremy Glausch and member Heather Neff met with Fish for purposes of offering to buy out her contract.

Meanwhile, the district entered into a $3,000 agreement with the Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate to conduct a search for a new superintendent.

Figura, who during the separation process with Fish resigned her position, will now return to her job temporarily.

“Until everything gets settled with the new superintendent, I will be here,” she said. “It was determined that we would like to hire a superintendent first; then, have the superintendent participate in selecting the next assistant superintendent. We are in the process of looking for a superintendent.”

With regard to the Fish controversy, Glaush read a statement Monday night. He said after conferring with the board’s solicitor, “… the Lehighton Area School District will refer to the original statement made in the separation agreement with Dr. Christina Fish. We will not be fielding any further questions about this situation. We believe it’s time from the district to move forward.”