The Panther Valley School Board decided to continue with the current leadership electing to renew Superintendent Dave McAndrew’s contract for five years.

His current contract expires June 30. His salary starts at $140,000 and calls for 3% increases in each year, he said.

McAndrew does not take the district’s health care plan, which saves the district $40,000 a year on a family benefit packet, he said.

His new contract runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. McAndrew has been superintendent at Panther Valley since 2020.

The board also approved a four-year pact with the confidential administrative staff, which provides 4% raises each year, McAndrew said. The new agreement expires June 30, 2030.

Also approved was an addendum to the Act 93 contract, which covers administrative personnel such as principals.

The addendum provides an additional $1,000 next year, but there were concessions in health care, including premiums and deductibles, which increase, McAndrew said. There is also a spousal surcharge, he said.

The board also approved a one-year human resources/payroll agreement with Valerie Matika at a salary of $75,000. Board President Dan Matika abstained on this vote.

The board also approved an agreement with Robert Palazzo, the supervisor of curriculum, to take on additional responsibilities as school psychologist. He will receive an additional $25,000 a year.

Teachers

The board continues to hire teachers to fill slots left by numerous retirements this year.

On Wednesday, the board hired Rebecca Hosler as an intermediate school Title I math teacher at a salary of $52,345, and Kyle Finkel, as a seventh-grade science teacher at $51,236.

Intermediate school Principal Lisa Mace said that they celebrated and acknowledged their retirees from her building, noting they lost 235 years of collective experience this year.

“I do want to thank my administrative team and the board for we got a jump start and with these hires tonight, we’re full (compliment),” she said. “So, that’s a great feeling to know that you’re ready to go for the new year.”

The board also hired a school nurse for the intermediate school, Brandi DeAngelo, at a salary of $51,236.

Other business

The board also approved these personnel moves:

• Conferences for Keith Degler at a cost of $731.27 and Kim Laird at no cost.

• Three-credit courses for Victoria Yazwinsky, Elizabeth Hoherchak, Matthew Neiftert, Mason George, Carly Romankov, Jennifer Jones and Christine Presley.

• Reappointing Bob Yurchak as district solicitor for 2026-27 at a retainer fee of $8,500 at an hourly rate of $140 an hour for work done outside meetings.

• Staff for the extended school year program: Taylor Craigle, Casey Hedash, Jennifer Schlegel, Michaela Susko, teachers; Kimberly Kwaak, Kathryn Santore, Tyler Morrero, Deborah Rohlfing, Rebecca Chuma, Brianna Riggio, Angela Buckles, Micedes Anthony, Kristin Sommers, Christina Helmer, Lisa Macalush and Emma McGeehan, paraprofessionals.

• Reassigning Lisa Yarnall from assistant cook at the junior-senior high school to head cook, effective immediately.

• Placing Ana Erickson and Kristopher Nalesnick, teachers, into the master’s degree column of the union contract for completing the requirements.

• Requests to carry over days off to the 2026-27 school year from Marcel Barbeau, Melissa Schoenberger, Greg Gauronsky, Theresa Yurick, Janine McFadden, Dave McAndrew.

• A memorandum of understanding with Marcel Barbeau, school safety and security director.

• Reassignment of Victoria Smith to health services nurse, retroactive to Jan. 21.