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Octorara Area SD board approves personnel hires, contracts and capital work; new superintendent introduced
Summary
The Octorara Area School District board approved multiple personnel appointments, contracts and capital projects on July 14, including a superintendent contract through Sept. 1, 2030, and voted to authorize the interim superintendent to sign certain PDE documents effective July 11, 2025.
At its July 14 meeting, the Octorara Area School District board approved a series of personnel appointments, contracts and facility projects and paused to introduce the district’s incoming superintendent.
The board approved the appointment of Mark Smallman as the district’s Title IX coordinator and the appointment of Kale Himmel as the district’s Safe Schools coordinator after the chair called for a motion, the board moved and seconded the items and members voiced their approval. The board also approved a resolution authorizing Interim Superintendent Dr. Brett Cooper to sign contracts, agreements, grants and licenses with the Pennsylvania Department of Education effective July 11, 2025.
The board approved multiple vendor contracts and invoices by voice vote, including sign and installation work at the primary learning center and intermediate schools at a reported cost of $9,890 each; removal and replacement of ADA sidewalk blocks across district buildings at $16,700; and design services for the middle/high school courtyard with Noble Terra Design at a cost read into the record as $16,006,600. Several members described these items as routine facilities and safety improvements to be completed before the school year.
The board accepted several resignations (including the district CFO effective July 23, 2025) and approved hires and salary corrections and adjustments for multiple staff members; individual names, effective dates and salary figures were read into the record and approved as part of the consent agenda.
One major personnel item approved was a contract with a superintendent for the Octorara Area School District effective Sept. 1, 2025 through Sept. 1, 2030; the board moved, seconded and approved the contract. Following that vote, the board paused the agenda to welcome the incoming superintendent, Dr. Dukovich, who thanked the board and said he looked forward to building relationships and engaging families and staff.
Most action‑agenda items were passed by voice vote; the meeting minutes record the motions, seconds and voice approvals but do not provide a roll‑call tally by member name in the public record excerpt. Where dollar amounts or other figures were read into the record, the board approved them as presented.
The board announced upcoming committee meetings and set the next regular public meeting for Aug. 18, 2025, then adjourned.
