The Panther Valley School Board hired a new business manager at a special meeting Thursday night.

The board selected Greg Gauronsky of Franklin Township to succeed outgoing Business Manager Jesse Walck, who accepted a position with the Allentown School District.

Gauronsky, a 2007 Panther Valley graduate, was hired at a salary of $90,000 a year. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master of business administration in health care management.

He was most recently employed as a fiscal management specialist with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and previously worked as an accountant/fiscal manager for Carbon County Children and Youth.

Superintendent Dave McAndrew welcomed Gauronsky to his new role at Panther Valley.

“Greg brings with him experience and a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility,” he said. “Through the interview process, we are confident that he will be a valuable asset to the district while continuing to provide the best possible education and resources for students.”

Board President Daniel Matika had called the business manager role the second most important job in the district, and the board wanted to make sure that it found the right fit.

Gauronsky said he sought the position because he has always been passionate about education, with a lot of teachers in his family, and he went to Panther Valley.

“I saw this as an opportunity to give back to the Panther Valley community,” he said Friday morning.

Gauronsky starts in his new position on June 9, giving him an opportunity to work with Walck, who is leaving at the end of June.

He said he hopes to gather as much information as possible as he steps into his new role, and looks forward to working with the board and administration.