Ambridge Area board ratifies teacher hire and spring coaches; board questions hiring transparency

The Ambridge Area School District Board of School Directors ratified a personnel report that included hiring Hannah Kracnitzky as the Ambridge Area High School art teacher at a salary of $50,981 (Master, step 1), prorated and effective Jan. 16, 2026. The personnel motion also recorded the resignation of a 4‑hour cook, the rescission of a girls volleyball middle‑school coach appointment, and approval of spring coaches and stipends for multiple positions.

During discussion, several board members asked that the board be provided with candidate resumes or the top two or three finalists before voting on hires. Mister Constantine specifically asked whether final candidate resumes could be sent to board members prior to a vote. Another board member referenced board best practices established several years earlier that limited board members’ involvement in hiring because of past litigation; Greg Musentine said he disagreed with removing the board from the hiring process and argued the board should see multiple finalists so members can make fully informed decisions.

The motion to ratify the personnel recommendations was moved, seconded and carried; the transcript records some abstentions for specific items but does not list full roll‑call tallies for every position. The board directed that the discussion around candidate information could be taken up at a subsequent meeting.

No new hires were effective beyond the dates listed in the personnel report, and the board recorded that hires remained pending receipt of required clearances (Act 168 screening, TB testing, drug screening, and PDE certifications where applicable).