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Salisbury Township SD honors two longtime staffers as district faces gap in 4th-grade music offerings
Summary
At its Sept. 18 meeting the Salisbury Township School District board presented retirement resolutions for Monica (25 years as director of student activities) and Sher Panella (nearly 20 years as library/instructional assistant). Trustees and community members praised their service; administrators also said 4th-grade instrumental lessons lack a teacher this year and options are being explored.
The Salisbury Township School District Board of School Directors on Sept. 18 recognized two long-serving employees with formal resolutions and public remarks, while administrators warned the district currently lacks a teacher for its fourth-grade instrumental music program.
Monica, known in remarks and the resolution as "Miss Dee," was honored for 25 years as director of student activities from 1999 to 2024. The board read a resolution thanking her for "untiring efforts" on behalf of students, and colleagues recalled programs she championed, from expanded athletics collaborations to partnerships with St. Luke's.
"As a Salisbury graduate I was always so proud that I was Salisbury's first director of Student Activities," Monica said in brief remarks, thanking former superintendents, principals and colleagues. Board members and community speakers noted Monica's role in creating extracurricular and athletic opportunities and fostering community ties.
The board also presented a resolution for Sher Panella, recognized for nearly 20 years as a library instructional assistant and 12 months as an administrative assistant across Salisbury Elementary and Salisbury High School. Panella told the board she had enjoyed the work, recounted early memories that led to long-term volunteer efforts and thanked colleagues for support.
Board members who spoke thanked both retirees for reliability and community focus. One member said the district will feel "a long-term impact" from Monica's work, and another described Panella as someone who kept office tasks moving "with a smile."
Administrators used the recognition portion of the meeting to flag a program gap: the district's fourth-grade instrumental program, previously supported by the Salisbury Foundation using EITC funds, currently has no instructor after the after-school teacher's schedule changed. Administration said it has posted for interest and is exploring split arrangements (separate percussion and winds instructors), before-school options, or other supplemental models but noted fund restrictions that limit in-school staffing.
The district said it will keep families updated while it seeks a sustainable staffing solution.
The board moved on to routine business after public remarks; the meeting continued with curriculum and finance updates.
The board adjourned after setting future meeting dates and announcing a voter-registration drive and upcoming homecoming events.
