CLARKS GREEN — Members of the Abington Heights School Board approved the resignation of president Cathy Ann Hardaway and elected former vice president Louise Brzuchalski to serve as president for the remainder of Hardaway’s term, which concludes in December 2018, during a regular monthly business meeting Sept. 19.
A new code of conduct established by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) prevented Hardaway from completing her term on the board.
“I work with the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas and the AOPC administered a new code of conduct, official Sept. 17,” Hardaway said. “The new code of conduct says any employee who holds an elected office has to resign the day they take the job.
“I’ve been working with Lackawanna County since April 2016 and President Judge (Michael) Barrasse and Judge (Patricia) Corbett, overseeing family court, said you can complete your term, but the AOPC ruled differently over the summer.”
Hardaway served as a member of the school board for 17 years.
“I have found serving on the board to be very rewarding,” she said. “Over the years, I’ve seen improvements in the decision making on the school board. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph. D. believes Hardaway was a valuable asset to the district.
“It’s been my great privilege to partner with Mrs. Hardaway for 15 years,” Mahon said. “I will always be grateful for her kindness and compassion. I will always be grateful for her leadership and wisdom, and I will also be grateful for her laughter and, on special occasions, her song.
“As a board member, Mrs. Hardaway was a strong advocate for the Abington Heights School District and the people in the community it serves. First and foremost, she was and remains an advocate for children.”
Brzuchalski has been a member of the board for 13 years. In addition to her previous position of vice president, she also has served as the board’s treasurer.
Warren Acker was elected to serve as the board’s vice president, a position he previously held.
Candidates for the open position on the school board, who reside in Region 2 that includes Newton Township, Ransom Township, South Abington Township District 2, and Clarks Summit Districts 2 and 4, should send a letter of interest and a resume to Abington Heights School District, Michele Tierney, Board Secretary, 200 E. Grove Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or by email at tierneym@ahsd.org.
The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. Sept. 30. Candidates should be available to attend a public meeting October 11 to interview for the position.
Per Pennsylvania law, board members must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old, and of good moral character.
In other business:
• Board member Tierney announced that the Abington Heights Educational Improvement Organization (AEIO) allocated funds to the district’s Science Olympiad, Odyssey of the Mind and Robotics teams.
•Members of the board approved agreements between the school district and both the Center for Independent and the Scranton Counseling Center for the 2018-2019 school year.
