The Panther Valley Intermediate School’s cafeteria could see new outdoor tables, as the Panther Valley School Board advertised for bids on exterior tables Wednesday.

The district is looking at adding 20 tables with umbrellas to the large courtyard area outside the school’s cafeteria.

Superintendent David McAndrew Jr. said the move will serve as a way to reward good behavior, allowing students to go outside to eat lunch.

Outdoor tables were added to a grassy area outside of the junior/senior high school as well, he said.

The intermediate school tables were previously bid, but the order could not be filled. The purchase will be paid out of cafeteria funds.

Other business

The board also approved a number of agreements and other routine business during a special meeting before the next regular board meeting July 19. The board’s last meeting was June 7.

One of the agreements was with Robert Palazzo, elementary school principal, to take on the additional responsibilities of school psychologist effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

McAndrew said Palazzo is a certified school psychologist, who has been assisting the district with evaluations for three years.

The district does have a full-time psychologist and sought a second, but received limited applications, he said.

These are additional responsibilities that Palazzo will be taking on, McAndrew said. Palazzo’s salary as of July 1 will be $87,693.

On Wednesday, the board approved:

• A letter of agreement with the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 to provide Title I math and reading services to Assumption BVM School, St. Jerome Regional School and St. Nicholas School.

• An agreement with Matrix Behavior Solutions for an outcome-based behavioral services program tailored for students. This is a new program and will be at no cost to the district, as services are billed to insurance, McAndrew said.

• An agreement with Behavioral Health Associates for outplacement services for 2023-2024 school year.

• A psychoeducational evaluation agreement with Central Penn Education Association for 2023-2024 school year for psychoeducational evaluations.

• Memorandums of understanding with the Lansford, Summit Hill and Nesquehoning police departments. Updates are required every three years by the state Department of Education.

• The sale of a property in the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau’s repository for unsold properties. The property is at 257 High St. and the reputed owner is Colleen Saranovic. The bidder is Antony Frias Nunez for $1,355.

• The resignation of Carrie Selinko, elementary health room associate, effective Aug. 1.

• The hiring of Gina Fatzie for the business office summer help, effective June 22 at a rate of $17.50 an hour, not to exceed 120 hours.

• Extending additional accounts payable job duties beyond July 1 for Jamie Gallagher in the business office at an hourly rate of $18.09 until the position is filled.

• Summer help in the special education office effective June 19 at a rate of $15 an hour for Terri Yurick, Kimberly Kwaak and Jennifer Hogeland.

• The following mentors for 2023-2024 at the current union contract rate: Nancy Gardiner for new teacher Evelyn Hydock; Keith Gogal for Joseph Damiano, and Susan Solt for Eric Bealla.

• The requests to carry over vacation days from the previous contract year for McAndrew, three days; Jesse Walck, five days, and Janine McFadden, three days.