| After an hourlong executive session, the Franklin School board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Mark Loucks Monday evening, effective immediately. The board also announced Pat Gavin will fill in as interim superintendent while they search for a more long-term interim, said board president Sabrina Backer. |  |
Gavin, a former Oil City super, has a history with Franklin having filled in at the same interim position for approximately three months prior to the hiring of Loucks in 2020.
Following the meeting, Loucks said he was excited about moving back home but thought he did some good things here. "We got good at online learning." Loucks' started his tenure after students were sent home due to Governor Tom Wolf's COVID mitigation policies. "He started with empty classrooms," Backer said.
"I fell in love with Franklin." he said after Monday's meeting. He also said he didn't intend for the school board to find out about his new job the way they did. "I wanted to tell the board face-to-face," he said, blaming the speed of the internet. A screen shot of the Altoona Mirror's print edition circulated among community members last Thursday, a copy of which made it to Backer early in the morning. Backer knew nothing of Loucks accepting of a new position until reading that article. Backer said late Thursday night that she wished she would've found out differently.
Under his contract he is supposed to give a 90-days notice unless a shorter time is otherwise agreed upon. Loucks gave the board his formal letter of resignation on Friday, which means he could have stayed as long as May 11. Instead, the board OK'd his resignation to begin right away. "It's been rough," Backer said of the last few days.
Backer said the board will enlist the help of the Pennsylvania School Board Association in the search for Franklin's next superintendent. Loucks had come from a recommendation from this board. "He said all the right things," Backer said of Loucks' interview two years ago.
Monday the board voted to move forward. "We are going to get someone here now that is good for the district and good for the kids," Backer emphasized.
Following the meeting, Loucks said he was excited about moving back home but thought he did some good things here. "We got good at online learning." Loucks' started his tenure after students were sent home due to Governor Tom Wolf's COVID mitigation policies. "He started with empty classrooms," Backer said.
"I fell in love with Franklin." he said after Monday's meeting. He also said he didn't intend for the school board to find out about his new job the way they did. "I wanted to tell the board face-to-face," he said, blaming the speed of the internet. A screen shot of the Altoona Mirror's print edition circulated among community members last Thursday, a copy of which made it to Backer early in the morning. Backer knew nothing of Loucks accepting of a new position until reading that article. Backer said late Thursday night that she wished she would've found out differently.
Under his contract he is supposed to give a 90-days notice unless a shorter time is otherwise agreed upon. Loucks gave the board his formal letter of resignation on Friday, which means he could have stayed as long as May 11. Instead, the board OK'd his resignation to begin right away. "It's been rough," Backer said of the last few days.
Backer said the board will enlist the help of the Pennsylvania School Board Association in the search for Franklin's next superintendent. Loucks had come from a recommendation from this board. "He said all the right things," Backer said of Loucks' interview two years ago.
Monday the board voted to move forward. "We are going to get someone here now that is good for the district and good for the kids," Backer emphasized.
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