Palmerton creates position of human resources director

Palmerton Area School District has abolished its director of district services position and created a director of human resources position in its place.

The school board unanimously agreed to create the newly-created post, and to appoint Debra Demyanovich at a prorated salary of $45,500, effective Feb. 8, 2010.

Demyanovich, who currently serves as human resource director in the Northwestern Lehigh School District, was introduced by Superintendent Carol Boyce.

A resident of Nesquehoning, Demyanovich told the audience she was there to assist the district.

"It's my pleasure to be here," Demyanovich said. "I'm very excited."

Demyanovich, who has been human resource director at Northwestern for the past 8 1/2 years, said "I'd like to develop it from the ground up. I want to enhance the staff, and help them move forward."

Prior to that move, the board unanimously agreed to abolish its director of district services position. The position had been held by Gary Snyder.

In October, the board agreed to accept Snyder's resignation, effective Sept. 29. Snyder, of Franklin Township, was charged in September with the sexual assault of a boy.

Snyder's pay was discontinued after the board suspended him without pay in July. Snyder had been placed on a paid leave of absence by the district in April. He remains free in lieu of $100,000 unsecured bail.

In other business, the board:

- Agreed to employ Andrew Remsing as credit recovery facilitator, effective the 2nd semester of 2010, at a salary of $27 an hour.

- Agreed to employ Shawn Borger as a substitute nurse, effective Jan. 20, 2010, at a salary of $70 a day.

- Agreed to employ Asimo Tsilikoudis as a guest teacher, effective Jan. 20, 2010, at a salary of $20 a day.

- Agreed to employ Ian Klansek as a substitute teacher, effective Jan. 11, 2010, at a salary of $120 a day.

- Approved the administrative transfer of Kerry Palumbo to Classrooms for the Future Coach, effective the 2nd semester of the 2009-10 school year.

- Agreed to employ Dawn Burke as long term sub for Palumbo, effective the 2nd semester of the 2009-10 school year, at a salary of $37,320 prorated.

All salaries are based on the current negotiated contract.

- Accepted the resignation of Jessica L. Fritz as physics teacher, effective Jan. 8, 2010.

- Approved the salary adjustment of Kristin Borger from Bachelor's degree to Bachelor's + 24 upon the settlement of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the teachers and the district effective the 2nd semester of the 2009-10 school year.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Whitney Babyak at Towamensing Elementary with assigned teacher Darlene Broderidge for the 1st quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Nicole Hoffner at S.S. Palmer Elementary with assigned teacher Roberta Beckley for the 1st quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Tricia McElmoyle at Palmerton Area High School with assigned teacher Stephanie Shiffert for the 1st quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Demetrious Doundas at Palmerton Junior High School with assigned teacher Michael Stefanek for the 1st quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Christie Gold at Towamensing Elementary with assigned teacher Kristopher Hoffner for the 2nd quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Brielle Siegfried at S.S. Palmer with Beckley for the 2nd quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Trisha Muth at Towmamensing Elementary with assigned teacher Deborah Hard for the 2nd quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted Kutztown University student Ann Alkons at S.S. Palmer with assigned teacher Andrea Olock for the 2nd quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted East Stroudsburg University student Heather Formica at Towamensing Elementary with assigned teacher Susan Deem for the 1st quarter of the spring semester.

- Accepted East Stroudsburg University student William Zeky at Towamensing Elementary with assigned teacher Jean Calpas for the 1st quarter of the spring semester.

- Approved the awarding of tenure to professional employee Jeremy Coleman, high school health, physical education, gifted, for completing three years of satisfactory ratings within the district.

- Approved a tuition reimbursement to Carol Andrews in the amount of $1,071.

- Approved a tuition reimbursement to Briana Banks in the amount of $980.

- Approved a tuition reimbursement to Kristin Borger in the amount of $1,071.

- Approved a tuition reimbursement to Coleman in the amount of $2,142.

- Approved a tuition reimbursement to Kimberly Gardner in the amount of $820.

- Approved a tuition reimbursement to Brad Landis in the amount of $1,071.

- Granted an unpaid leave to Amy Negley from Jan. 20, 2010 to Feb. 1, 2010.

- Approved Sherrie Fenner, director of curriculum and instruction, to attend the PAFPC Annual conference at Hershey from March 21-24, 2010, at a total estimated cost of $1,270 funded through Title I.

- Approved, on a 7-2 vote, Debra Demyanovich, director of human resources, to attend the PASPA Human Resource conference at Hershey from Feb. 24-26, 2010, at the cost of $375. Directors Carl Bieling and Susan Debski were opposed.