Hanover Area School District board approves most financial and personnel items; two financial items fail

HANOVER — The Hanover Area School District Board of Education on Tuesday approved most personnel appointments and the bulk of financial recommendations, but two financial items failed after roll-call voting and one personnel appointment was removed and then approved as part of an amended package.

Board President Mister Stevens opened the public meeting after a work session and moved routine approvals. The board approved the minutes of the Aug. 12 regular meeting and the Luzerne Intermediate Unit Board of Directors minutes of May 21, 2025.

In a separate roll call on financial recommendations, the board voted that items 1 and 2 failed while items 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 passed. “1 and 2 fail. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 pass,” Mister Stevens announced when the tally was read aloud.

A public commenter asked how failed financial items would be handled. Mike Pottsko of Henry Township asked whether the board would call a special meeting or wait until October to revisit the failed items. Superintendent Barrett said he did not have an immediate answer and that board members who voted no had asked for a closer review of the numbers; Barrett said he expected the items to be reviewed “in the very near future.”

Personnel recommendations were more complex. An initial motion to approve items 1 through 13 failed during roll call after members indicated they wanted to change item 11, which removed Robert Lussier as marching band director because he had resigned later in the agenda. The board then approved the slate as amended to remove Lussier.

Following that vote the board approved separate personnel appointments and terms reported during the meeting, including:

- Gary Young, appointed crossing guard at $80 per day, pending all clearances (motion by Mister Stevens; second, Miss Blaich). - Ashley Brandolino, appointed crossing guard at $80 per day, pending all clearances. - Paraprofessional appointments at $20 per hour, pending all clearances (two paraprofessionals named; roll calls recorded yes votes). - Diana Kabinetz, appointed paraprofessional at $20 per hour, pending clearances. - Michaelina Tropaine, appointed as a music teacher “at salary step of b $155,743 as per the HAEA contract” (as read in the meeting). - Sarah McCary, appointed as a special education teacher “at a salary of m step m 1, 66643 dollars as per the HAEA contract” (as read in the meeting).

The meeting record shows these personnel items were approved by roll call after the amended motion passed. Several appointments were explicitly listed as contingent on required background clearances.

Board members and the superintendent framed the failed financial votes as calls for more detailed bill lists and transparency. At least one board member said the breakdown of bills on the financial list was “too generalized” and asked for further review before voting yes.

The board announced its October meeting schedule: a work session and the regular meeting both set for Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Votes at a glance: - Minutes (Aug. 12 regular; Luzerne IU May 21): approved. - Financial recommendations (items 1–7): items 1 and 2 failed; items 3–7 passed (detailed roll-call votes were read on the record). - Personnel recommendations (items 1–13): initial motion failed; amended motion removing Robert Lussier passed. - Personnel appointments (items 14–19 and listed hires): approved; crossing guard rate $80/day; paraprofessionals $20/hour; several teacher appointments noted as per HAEA contract and pending clearances.

The board’s public file and posted minutes will include the roll-call records and the formal agenda item numbers for the items that failed and those that passed.

Ending

Superintendent Barrett and board leaders said they expect follow-up on the failed financial items and indicated they will consider either a special meeting or resolving the items at the October meeting. The board adjourned after completing the evening’s agenda.