Palmerton Area School District has finalized a separation and release agreement with its director of district facilities of over a decade, setting his retirement for the end of this year and outlining the terms under which both sides will part ways.

According to the six-page document unanimously approved by the school board last week, Director of District Facilities Joseph Faenza “will voluntarily resign and retire as an employee of the district effective as of the end of business Dec. 31, 2025.”

He will remain an employee until that date and then “shall be considered ‘retired’ for purposes of PSERS and any benefits other than the benefits described herein.”

Faenza’s current salary, according to district officials, is $93,410.

The agreement states that “certain events have transpired leading the parties to desire to end the employment relationship notwithstanding the continuation of certain benefits.”

According to the document obtained through a right-to-know request, the district will continue to provide Faenza with medical and dental insurance “through April 30, 2026, at which time all benefits will be terminated.” After that date, he “will be eligible for COBRA coverage at his own expense.”

The district and Faenza agreed to “mutual arrangements” for him to remove personal belongings and return any district property by Dec. 31. The document also states that the district “will not oppose a claim for unemployment compensatio, which may be made by employee.”

Faenza had been on a restoration of health sabbatical since July 2. The school board unanimously approved the sabbatical, not to exceed one half school term, on July 15, retroactive to July 2.

As part of the same personnel agenda last week, the school board moved to fill the facilities leadership role following Faenza’s scheduled departure. The board approved a motion to hire Trahn Thompson as director of district facilities “at an annual salary of $90,000.00 prorated with a start date to be determined.”