PLAINS TWP. — The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board on Monday hired 46 new teachers and took action of several other personnel issues.
Wilkes-Barre Area School District Superintendent Brian Costello said the district was able to add the new jobs because of an increase in state funding.
The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board, at its regular meeting in June, approved the 2024-2025 budget of nearly $172 million, with a plan to use overflow funds to give homeowners an additional tax decrease.
The board approved the following:
• The following resignations were accepted: Ethan Rioiox, Danielle Saccente, Junell Guarneri, and Dale Streletz.
• Sabbatical leave was approved for Keli Yevonishon, Jenny Wilczak, and Beth Gagliardi.
• Lauren Letteer’s request for unpaid leave until April 30, 2026, was approved.
Appointments
• Jessica Shaffer, music teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Cindy Berry, temporary professional employee as an ESL Teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Brittney Nastawa, long-term substitute 4-8 teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Cassandra Merrill, long-term substitute ESL teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Daisy Sosa-Terron, long-term substitute ESL teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Jada Exter, long-term substitute Spanish teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Rachel Wallace, temporary professional employee as an English teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Dina Clark, long-term Substitute Art Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Joshua Schiowitz, temporary professional employee as an art teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Omego Castellano, temporary professional employee as an art teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Jeffrey Weems, temporary professional employee as a social studies teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Brian Minich, temporary professional employee as a social studies teacher effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• John Marianacci, temporary professional employee as an English teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Mary Evelyn Kasper, temporary professional employee as a reading teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Katie Anderson, temporary professional employee as an elementary teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Genevieve Gorham, long-term substitute elementary teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Chelsea Cornelius, temporary professional employee as an elementary teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Vanessa Richeon, long-term substitute elementary teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Abigal Shiner, temporary professional employee as an elementary teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Amanda Lescoe, temporary professional employee as an elementary teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Vanessa Dankovitch, temporary professional employee as an elementary teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Liam Flynn, long-term substitute elementary teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• David Cooper, temporary professional employee as a special education teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Logan Padden, temporary professional employee as a special education teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Megan Kosek, long-term substitute 4-8 teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• William Bennett, long-term substitute reading teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Felicity Deemer, long-term substitute special education teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Amanda Merrick Thompkins, long-term substitute special education teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Alyssa Chesek, long-term substitute math teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Avery Zdancewicz, temporary professional employee as an elementary teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Abigail Sorokas, temporary professional employee as an elementary teacher, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Caitlin Evans, long-term substitute school nurse for the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Armandria Mullen, long-term substitute 4-8 teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Ginger Walsh, long-term substitute 4-8 teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Alyssa Dragor, long-term substitute elementary teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Stephanie Carter, long-term substitute elementary teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.