New teachers in the Pleasant Valley School District got acclimated to their new positions this week. Among them was the contested appointed of the new teacher of the technology education/STEM program at the middle school.

The school board met on Aug. 4 for a special meeting to discuss the appointment of Patrick Rimple to the position. Rimple was approved with a 5-3 vote with Susan Kresge, Norman Burger, Diane Serfass, Matthew Walters and Robert Clark voting yes. John Gesiskie, Denise Hopely and Janet Dooner voted no. Director Ryan O’Keefe was absent from the meeting.

Rimple has a doctoral degree in microbiology, but does not have a teaching certificate. He is currently working on courses at East Stroudsburg University to get the education he needs to be certified. The lack of certification is the main issue for Gesiskie and Hopely.

“If this candidate is still completing the requirements necessary for Pennsylvania certification through the education preparation program, did the administration consider any alternative appointment, such as a temporary or substitute assignment, until all certification requirements are satisfied,” Hopely asked.

Lori Fulmer, the director of Human Resources, said Rimple qualifies for the job, through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s experienced-based pathway. She explained that this pathway was created because of a shortage of teachers.

Both Hopely and Gesiskie asked Fulmer if there were any other candidates with degrees in teaching that applied for the job. She said yes, but “they were not fully qualified.” Fulmer explained that one had a teaching degree and another person was certified from another state. She reminded them that the school district approved in June to make this technology class more STEM -based.

Superintendent James Konrad added that they decided to move forward with the candidate they thought was the best fit.

“Having a Ph.D. in microbiology, I think would be a really good benefit to our students, as well,”. Konrad said.

Hopely asked Fulmer if she contacted local universities, professional associations, career and tech schools, or established educator recruitment networks, etc. to find a candidate with a teaching degree.

Fulmer said the position was shared on the district’s website and other online platforms. She said her department goes to job fairs and uses all avenues to recruit staff.

Konrad asked to interject and said the position is difficult to fill because it is specialized similar to that of a teacher that teaches German. He reiterated that they are presenting to the school board their best candidate for the job. Konrad agreed that there were other candidates who applied, but “they didn’t make our cut.”

Gesiskie replied, “I’m confused that they didn’t make your cut. I guess there is a difference between cut. I mean my understanding was this is for the educational thing. If someone has the educational background, they have first dibs on what’s going on. You’re saying that you want to go outside of those educational people who have the background, went to college, got their degrees, and you want to hire somebody just because they got a Ph.D.”

Gesiskie said there are people who go to college with the intent to teach some day and those who intend to get a regular job. “Education being the main word here. All right? The subject area is totally secondary to being able to educate someone,” he said.

Dooner said she has heard that about universities reducing their staff and some small colleges closing up all together. She’s concerned that staff laid off from colleges will start seeking employment in the school system simply to get a job.

Director Matthew Walters said he looks at staff reductions at the college level, and those employees seeking jobs in the school district as beneficial to the students, because they are bringing their knowledge with them.

Rimple will be starting his position with the school district at the Step 1 level for doctorate degrees with a salary of $92,067. Fulmer said this is because the district’s Collective Bargaining Agreement sets the salaries based on level of experience and degree.

According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement effective from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029, a new-hire Step 1 teacher with a bachelor’s degree would have a salary of $65,867 for the 2026-2027 school year; a master’s degree at that step is $68,867. Teachers with those degrees see increases in pay after six months of employment, 12 months and so on up to 54 months. Teachers with doctorate degrees get annual increases, not by month segments.

Tammy Smale, the district’s business manager, said that the salary for Rimple can be covered by the budget, because the amount she budgeted for new hires this upcoming school year is more than the school district will be paying out.

“It is a high salary,” Smale said, “but as Mrs. Fulmer explained before, as you move, he can’t go any further on the columns. He can only go steps. And step movements without increasing your education is very minimal. I think it’s $400 from step one to step two.”