Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors made the resignation of its business manager, Steven Sofranko, official Monday night with an affirmative vote.

Sofranko resigned Aug. 7 after being hired July 1.

“Mr. Sofranko resigned due to health issues,” Board President Jeremy Glaush said regarding the item.

The vacancy means Lehighton, when it makes a hire, will have its third full-time business manager in 2024.

Former business manager Edward Rarick resigned Jan. 10 after the district informed him his contract would not be renewed. Weatherly Area School District hired Rarick as its business manager in June at a salary of $90,000.

Lehighton also continues its search for a new superintendent. The board approved a separation agreement with Dr. Christina Fish in May calling for her to receive a $115,000 buyout of her contract that was to run through Aug. 31, 2025. Fish had spent nearly two years in the district before the parting of ways.

Mike Lusch, a teacher in the high school, addressed the board Monday night regarding the turnover in administration.

“Since 2020, we have had multiple superintendents, changes in the assistant to the superintendent position, at least three business managers, and we have had some minor shuffling at the administration level,” Lusch said. “Why is there so much instability, especially for people making over $100,000 a year. That’s a pretty good gig in my mind, so my question is why is there so much instability at the top of our chart.”

Glaush said while individual personnel issues could not be discussed outside of executive session, he too would like to see the revolving door stop.

“We would like to see the turnover stop and see the stability that everyone is craving,” Glaush said. “We are working toward that. We will be advertising for a new business manager and we are in the process of getting a new superintendent.

Sometimes you get what you get and things happen that are beyond your control.”

The same night Lehighton hired Sofranko in June, it also approved an agreement with Garnet Financial LLC for services including business management, mentoring, and professional development.

Under the terms of the agreement, Garnet Financial would be compensated at a rate of $100 per hour for services provided between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

Acting Superintendent Jack Corby said Monday night that the district is in talks with the group to provide business manager services while Lehighton searches for a permanent replacement.