Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel And Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Palmyra board approves personnel slate, names new middle/high school principal; public urges action on staff turnover and arts
Summary
The board approved multiple hires and stipends, including the appointment of Daniel Licata as Palmyra Middle/High School principal; members of the public urged the district to address staff turnover and restore choir/arts offerings.
At its Sept. 11 meeting the Palmyra Board of Education approved a slate of personnel and related policy actions, including accepting the appointment of Daniel Licata as Palmyra Middle/High School principal for the 2024–25 school year at a pro-rated salary of $135,000 and several coaching, stipend and substitute appointments.
The personnel and related consent items were moved and recorded by roll call. The minutes show the motions carried with recorded ayes of eight board members, zero nays and zero abstentions.
Other personnel approvals included a long-term substitute appointment (Kevin Kudatzky), extracurricular stipends for drama and robotics, instructional coaching assignments across grade bands, and homebound instructor list approvals included in Appendix A. The board also approved staff stipends for teachers covering an additional instructional class in lieu of a prep period for the 2024–25 year.
During the public comment period several teachers, parents and students urged the board to investigate staff turnover and improve arts offerings. Palmyra High School teacher Ms. Foster said she has had eight principals during her tenure and urged the board to consider the implications for stability; she also praised outgoing principal Ms. Sabo. Student Olivia Gallagher and parent Kelly Gallagher urged the district to expand choir access, including offering choir before or after school or as a club. Parent Rene Fusco stressed the district should replace the choir teacher and said her daughter did not receive a needed 504 plan until junior year; Fusco asked the board to examine why staff leave. Parent Wendy Wence described schedule conflicts that forced her son to choose between AP European History and Band, and Jessica Shedaker called for more arts funding and greater transparency. The minutes note SEPAC organization activity coordinated by Ken Holloway.
Board members thanked staff and recognized transitions at the high school; the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
