Montour manager Reichl unpaid, several school leaders depart
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The big news at Montour school board last Thursday was the status change for business manager Sam Reichl, who was moved from paid to unpaid leave after a formal private hearing at which the district presented its case against him.
The lesser news was the continued exodus of several administrators, with the board accepting the retirement of assistant to the superintendent Jean Maravich.
Along with Mr. Reichl, dean of students Frank Marocco and administrative assistant Ron Weaver, that makes four departed administrators since May.
Elementary principal Jason Burick was named to fill Ms. Maravich's job for one year, and Connie Luksis was named assistant business manager to take on most of Mr. Reichl's duties.
The jobs of Mr. Marocco and Mr. Weaver have not been filled.
Ms. Maravich was hired as director of pupil services in 2002, and was promoted in 2007. She was accused of helping make an improper change in a teacher's pay scale in 2007, but was not charged or disciplined.
Mr. Reichl is accused of keeping the board in the dark over several years regarding the district's burgeoning $28.7 million reserve fund.
Board members have said that if they had known the district's financial position, they might have taken a different approach to the troubled 2007 renovation plan.
The specific charges against Mr. Reichl have not been made public, but he has been accused of not giving audits or annual financial reports to the board and of failing to file for $1.9 million worth of construction restitution, among other things.
He was placed on paid leave in May, shortly after news of the fund balance became public. The district has been taking legal steps toward firing a public servant.
Thursday's hearing was what's known as a Loudermill hearing, named for a Cleveland case which established that a public servant accused of wrongdoing has the right to formally hear the charges against him.
Solicitor Ira Weiss said the next step in the process would be a termination hearing.
In yet another administrative move, the board authorized hiring the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to conduct the search for a replacement for acting superintendent Don Boyer, who has overseen this year's housecleaning.
The board hired Dr. Boyer on a one-year contract Sept. 15, to replace Patrick Dworakowski. The district advertised for a replacement and received several applicants.
"They weren't anyone we were really interested in," board president Cindy Morrow said.
The board readvertised, and 14 applied, including three of the previous applicants.
Dr. Boyer -- who is retired and is a consultant for Education Management Group -- said he favored using PSBA to do the search because its listings include candidates from all over the commonwealth.
Dr. Boyer's contract expires Sept. 15, but board members have expressed confidence that they can get permission to keep him longer without jeopardizing his pension.
First Published August 19, 2010 12:00 am
