COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School Board hired several more teachers and other staff during a brief meeting Tuesday night at the high school.
Taylor Donahue was hired as an elementary teacher at a salary of $30,000 plus benefits.
Danielle Locke was appointed to serve as a speech and language impaired instructor at a salary of $48,800 plus benefits.
Heather Snyder and Casey Coombe were hired as special education instructors at salaries of $31,000 and $30,000, respectively, with benefits.
Oscar Guerrero-Kees was appointed as a guidance counselor at Northwestern Academy at a salary of $37,700 plus benefits.
The board accepted the resignations of elementary teacher Kandy Krebs, special education teachers Matthew Wislosky and Kristin Patton, guidance counselor Kyle Pheasant, maintenance worker James Kramer and teacher aide Debbie A. Davis.
Katherine Stroh and Doreen Commerford were assigned as daily substitute teachers for 180 days at $90 per day.
Kristy Hoffman and Lindsey Scherer were assigned as short-term substitutes at $80 per day.
Sandra Derck (high school), Lonnie Hauer (elementary school) and Gail Purdy (elementary school) were approved as after-school detention monitors at $10 per hour, $18.50 per hour and $18.50 per hour, respectively.
Superintendent James Zack apologized to parents for misinterpreting a policy regarding backpacks at the elementary school.
Zack said elementary students will be required to use clear rather than mesh backpacks and can carry them throughout the school day. Since the elementary students will not be subjected to metal detectors, Zack said the backpacks can be checked easier because they are clear.
He said middle/high school students, who will have to go through metal detectors, can bring any type of backpacks to school, but must keep them in their lockers throughout the day.
Director Robert Getchey once again complained about seats in the balcony of the auditorium being damaged by students during study hall periods.
Fellow Director Bernie Sosnoskie recommended prohibiting all drinks and food in the high school auditorium due to garbage left behind by students.