Palmerton names interim superintendent

Palmerton Area School District’s board of directors tabbed Dr. Al Lonoconus on Tuesday night to fill an interim superintendent role while it embarks on a search for a permanent leader who could carry through most of the 2019-20 school year.

Lonoconus was unanimously approved at the rate of $525 per day with a start date to be determined.

“I’m now coming out of retirement for the fourth time,” Lonoconus joked about the appointment. “It seems like things are really going well here. I’m here to keep it moving forward until someone fills the seat permanently.”

Before Palmerton, he was interim superintendent in the Southern Columbia, Shikellamy and Great Valley school districts for just over 16 years combined.

“I’ve also been a social studies teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, curriculum director and maintenance guy,” he said. “You name it, I’ve done it. In my stops, I’ve worked with budgets from $17 million to $120 million. Pretty much anywhere you go, the issues are the same, but the faces change.”

Palmerton and prior Superintendent Scot Engler reached a mutual separation agreement in May. Since then, the district’s human resources director, Thomas McLaughlin, has been doubling as acting superintendent.

“Superintendents are in short supply,” Lonoconus said. “I’ve turned down about 20 requests.”

Board President Kate Baumgardt said the district would begin advertising the superintendent job in November with interviews taking place in January or February.

“The process could be done in March or it could be done in May,” she said.

“It depends on who applies and when they apply.”

Regardless of when Palmerton chooses its next superintendent, Lonoconus will likely be a key part of the process.

“The great things about having (Lonoconus),” Director Earl Paules said, “is he’s going to help us with picking a superintendent to make sure we get the right one.”