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Board approves multiple hires and a termination; public commenters urged reversal of the firing
Summary
The board approved several personnel actions including appointment of Kristen Blackburn as Garfield principal and multiple instructional hires; it also voted to terminate Employee No. 3488 effective Jan. 14, 2026, a move that drew public objection during the hearing-of-citizens segment.
The Greater Johnstown Board on Feb. 3 approved a slate of personnel actions, including appointments, resignations and a termination that drew public comment.
Key approvals included appointing Kristen Blackburn to the Act 93 position of Principal at Garfield School (PN-250-26), hiring Brendan Baird as a Welding Instructor, Marissa Berzonsky as a long-term substitute science/STEM teacher, Wendi Winter as a paraprofessional, and accepting the resignation of Assistant Physical Plant Director Brian Hasselbauer effective June 30, 2026. The board also approved an employment contract for Samantha Gardner as Student Information Coordinator (PN-264-26) and a Memorandum of Agreement with the Greater Johnstown Education Association covering salary schedule clarifications (PN-265-26).
The minutes record that Employee No. 3488 was terminated effective Jan. 14, 2026 (PN-263-26). During public comment, John DeBartola and other community members said students had written notes opposing the termination and urged the board to vote no on the motion; Assistant Superintendent Michael Dadey said personnel matters are handled in executive session and cannot be discussed publicly.
Why it matters: staffing decisions determine who leads school programs (notably at Garfield) and affect classroom coverage for the remainder of the school year. Public resistance to the termination highlights community concern and limits the board can discuss publicly when personnel matters were handled in closed session.
The motions authorizing hires and terminations were approved as recorded in the minutes; specific personnel details that the board treated as confidential were not discussed on the public record.
What's next: Administration will follow through on contingent hiring steps (clearances and payroll forms) and return to the board or committee as required for any further personnel deliberations.
