Palmerton Area School District Superintendent Scot Engler received a one-year contract extension following a 7-2 school board vote Tuesday night.

The vote takes Engler through Jan. 21, 2018, with the terms and conditions of employment to be set and announced before the beginning of the extension.Directors Sherry Haas and Barry Scherer voted against the contract extension."The district has gone through so many superintendents because of rumors and misinformation," said board member Sue Debski before the vote. "We're not legally allowed to say anything back. I sure hope the board doesn't vote on half-truths or rumors. We need to help this community move forward instead of backward."Contacted Wednesday morning, Engler expressed his appreciation."I am extremely grateful to the board for extending my contract," he said. "I truly appreciate their support along with the support of the administrative team."Engler has been the subject of recent public criticism after giving high school Principal Paula Husar zero out of three ratings in multiple performance categories on her 2015-16 evaluations.The public outcry continued Tuesday with many residents asking the board to not renew Engler's contract and terminate him. Many of them expressed concern that there would be grounds for termination if Husar were given another unsatisfactory review."His evaluation was personal," said Linda Pereira, who has been a staunch advocate for Husar on social media. "Our schools have a zero tolerance for bullying. Does it also apply for grown-ups or is it just students?"Pereira asked the board to "forget any personal friendships and fix a mistake it made three years ago when it hired Engler."Husar provided a partial copy of her evaluation, which was posted to a petition website. Part of the evaluation containing Engler's comments was redacted.An online petition started by David Schwartz asking the board to not renew Engler's contract had 265 supporters as of Tuesday night.Through the petition's website, Husar announced she would be returning to work Aug. 8 after taking sick leave."As I listen to or read each message, I can't help but realize just how great a community Palmerton is," Husar wrote. "I love being your high school principal and have every intention of being there this year too."Director Josann Harry said the board had reached out to Husar since her return and that she was "doing good."Keri Henry, a member of the Palmerton High School Class of 1991 and a parent to current Palmerton students, said her child was in tears after learning his kindergarten teacher was let go from the district."How many people are we going to terminate?" Henry asked the board while pointing her finger in its direction. "The only improvement plan this district needs is a change at the top."Members of the Palmerton administrative team, led by junior high Principal Rich DeSocio, stood in support of Engler."We were not asked to speak and we're not doing so in fear of our jobs," DeSocio said. "We work together as a team with Scot as the leader of our school, and we wanted to let the board know we support our superintendent."Husar was the only member of the administrative team not in attendance at Tuesday's meeting.The board had until Aug. 24 to make a decision on Engler's contract or it would have automatically renewed for three years.He was to receive $111,000 in the 2013-14 school year and receive salary increases ranging from 1.5 to 2 percent over the course of the contract.In February 2014, the board gave Engler a three-year contract ending Jan. 20, 2017.Retired teacher Audrey Larvey didn't understand the logic in only extending the contract by one year."If you were satisfied and pleased then you would renew the contract," Larvey told the board."You're not. You're extending it. Why are you willing to spend another $100,000 plus of taxpayer money and have him continue to be in charge of the district for another year?"When Jeff Henry questioned how many board members were up for election next year, Debski was one of several who raised their hands.Standing up, she told the crowd, "you're welcome to have my seat. I'm glad you're all involved and I hope you stay involved."