Kingston council unanimously approves recommendation of Karolina Levesque to Wyoming Valley West School Board

Council President Kate McMahon presided over a special voting meeting Jan. 27 in which the Town Council of the Municipality of Kingston voted 7‑0 to approve Resolution 2026‑4, recommending Karolina Levesque for appointment to the Wyoming Valley West School Board to fill a recent vacancy.

Solicitor Harry Matter told council that the School Board makes the appointment but that Wyoming Valley West’s practice allows member municipalities to participate by making nominations. Matter said the vacancy needed to be filled within 30 days and that the School Board — and possibly the Luzerne County Board of Elections — would have to guide how the seat is handled in the November election season.

Vice President John Chernesky moved to approve Resolution 2026‑4; Council member Paul Keating seconded. The roll call vote recorded seven yes votes (Doug Rush, Bill Manley, Paul Keating, Nancy Cooper, Kate McMahon, John Chernesky, Al Littzi) and the resolution was approved.

Chernesky had asked whether the new appointee must reside in the same district as the prior member, Tim McGinley. Matter said his understanding was that the appointee should come from the same district; Council member Nancy Cooper confirmed that the recommended nominee, Karolina Levesque, is from Ward 1.

The resolution directs Kingston’s recommendation to the Wyoming Valley West School Board; the School Board is expected to act on the recommendation at its next meeting. No additional votes or amendments were taken during Kingston’s special session.