Shamokin Area board approves routine business, honors outgoing solicitor and highlights student achievements

The Shamokin Area School District Board of Directors met in November 2025 and approved a slate of routine items — minutes (with agreed amendments), financial reports, payment of bills, field trips, new policy and administrative regulations, and multiple resolutions — while pausing to honor outgoing solicitor Frank W. Garrigan and to recognize student achievements.

Board President Persink opened the meeting with an invocation and a roll call that recorded the attendance of board officers and members. The board set its annual reorganization meeting for Dec. 3, 2025, at the Northumberland County Curran Technical Center.

In presentations, Mr. Hockenbrock said the district would move students-of-the-month recognitions to the next public meeting and highlighted recent events: National Junior Honor Society ceremonies, a Veterans Day assembly with guest speaker Chris Christian, a career fair with more than 30 exhibitor tables, first-time computerized ASVAB testing for juniors, and upcoming winter Keystone exams. “We also administered ASVABs to all juniors successfully on computers for the first time,” he said.

Student council representative Mrs. Neri reported that the Thanksgiving food drive was wrapping up, a January winter dance for fifth- and sixth-graders is planned, and PTA-sponsored programs such as a RIF book distribution and a ‘‘Wacky Science’’ hands-on event are scheduled.

The board presented a certificate of appreciation from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to Steven Cook for five years of board service. Later, the board adopted a resolution recognizing Frank W. Garrigan, Esquire, for his service as school solicitor from Dec. 6, 2023 through Dec. 3, 2025 and presented him with a lifetime pass to district events. Garrigan thanked the board: “It’s been an honor to serve you guys, really,” he said.

On routine business, motions to approve minutes (subject to agreed amendments), accept the treasurer’s report, authorize payment of bills, approve field trips, adopt policy changes, revise the Dean of Students job description, and approve personnel items (8.01–8.12) were moved, seconded and carried, with roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript. The board also approved sale of unsold tax-claim properties and a service agreement; each of those motions passed on recorded roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records roll-call approvals for the major motions and resolutions; the board also set the reorganization meeting for Dec. 3, 2025. The meeting transcript records affirmative roll-call responses for each named motion listed in the agenda.

The board confirmed that an executive session on personnel issues took place Nov. 18, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:13 p.m. prior to the regular meeting. The meeting adjourned after the board completed business.

What’s next: the reorganization meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Northumberland County Curran Technical Center, per the board announcement.