Two staff transfers on the agenda for the Northern Lehigh School Board meeting brought some questions.

On the agenda, motions were made for Michael Smith to transfer from a Peters Elementary teacher to a Slatington Elementary teacher, and for Anthony Tulio to transfer from a Slatington Elementary teacher to a high school secondary math teacher.

School board member Timothy Weaber questioned the transfer of staff that was on the agenda, stating that it was his understanding that the board must approve not only hiring and firing but the transferring of staff as well.

He said that at the June 8 board meeting, only one staff change was voted on and approved.

The day after that meeting, a number of other transfers were planned and executed.

“Since these changes were made in the morning following a regular school board meeting, I am questioning if these planned transfers were purposely kept from us to keep the board from making motions to change or eliminate positions,” Weaber said.

He cited four concerns:

1. What is the true spirit of the law or intent of the board motion? For example, was the intent of the motion to replace unexpected resignations or retirements, or implement a predetermined transfer plan?

2. What is the true spirit of the law or intent of Board Policy 309? Normally, as Board Policy 309 basically states that for the initial assignment of all employees, at the time employment, or when assignments involve a transfer, the board should approve those.

3. Moving staff, even if properly credentialed, into positions where they are unqualified or inexperienced when there are other options.

“Some of the transfers I’m questioning,” Weaber said. “I question whether or not their credentials match up with what they are being asked to do, and lack of experience.

4. The impact on student performance.

“Due to larger class sizes and underqualified and inexperienced staff, I have a concern that by making these moves, we are making some class sizes larger,” Weaber said.

School Board solicitor Rachel Sokolsky explained the policy, and said that there does appear to be a discrepancy in Policy 309 and that it should be looked at.

“School code grants board members the authority to approve the hiring and firing of employees, not the specific transfer,” Sokolsky stated, “with the exception that if the transfer involves an increase in salary, the board would approve that because it involves an expenditure of funds.”

She added, “But the school code does not explicitly grant the board the authority to approve all transfers and all reassignments. It is a managerial function to meet changing education requirements and to make that the prerogative of the administration. So the language in Policy 309, our recommendation would be to revisit that because that language in there is not compliant with the Pennsylvania School Code.”

The motions passed by a 5-4 vote. Voting in favor were Gary Fedorcha, Gale Husak, Donna Kulp, Joyce Thompson and Mathias Greene Jr. Voting against the transfer with Weaber were Natalie Snyder, Angela Williams and Crystal Bilby.