With a new school year a few weeks away and the superintendent still on paid administrative leave, Palmerton Area School District’s board announced Tuesday its intent to appoint Ryan Kish as “substitute superintendent.”

Board President Sherry Haas framed the move as essential to stable leadership heading into the fall.

The announcement came during the board’s August workshop meeting. A formal vote is expected at the board’s regular meeting on Aug. 18.

“The board does recognize the importance of having a single point of leadership to ensure there is clear accountability, clear lines of communication, and one person with the authority to make decisions for and to sign on behalf of the district when needed,” Haas said. “We believe this approach will help provide stability, and it is in the best interest for our students, staff, and community.”

The appointment, if approved, would be made in compliance with Section 1079 of the Pennsylvania School Code. The section states that when a superintendent is granted an official leave of absence, the board may appoint a substitute. This substitute serves only for the designated duration of the regular superintendent’s absence.

Details of the terms were set to be discussed in executive session immediately following the workshop.

Kish, who serves as the district’s assistant superintendent for finance and facilities, has been a central figure in district operations in recent months. Since Superintendent Angela Friebolin was placed on paid administrative leave effective April 2, Kish and Assistant Superintendent Daniel Heaney have shared day-to-day oversight of the district.

Friebolin’s leave was described by district solicitor David Conn in April as a joint decision between the board and the superintendent.

“This leave is in no way disciplinary and does not reflect any judgment by the board regarding the superintendent’s performance, but is simply to allow greater flexibility to navigate next steps for the parties,” Conn said at the time.

The leave was originally supposed to end June 30, but the board extended it until Dec. 31 at June’s board meeting.

The board’s announcement Tuesday offered no timeline beyond the Aug. 18 vote and gave no indication of whether the appointment would lead to a broader change in district leadership. Personnel matters, board officials said, would remain in executive session.