Franklin Area School Board publicly voted unanimously at Monday's formal business meeting to hire Dr, Eugene Thomas as the district's new superintendent.
"Welcome to the Knight's family," board president Sabrina Backer said after the vote. She asked if Dr. Thomas, who prefers to be called Geno, had any remarks.
"Yes I do, thank you. I'll always have an open door," he said as he addressed those in attendance. He thanked the board for their support and the crowd for attending.
"Welcome to the Knight's family," board president Sabrina Backer said after the vote. She asked if Dr. Thomas, who prefers to be called Geno, had any remarks.
"Yes I do, thank you. I'll always have an open door," he said as he addressed those in attendance. He thanked the board for their support and the crowd for attending.
Thomas attended the meeting with his wife Lisa and daughter Gianna. Prior to the meeting Thomas talked with some of the district's staff. He also painted some of the Franklin art department mural that will be hung on the side of the Barrow-Civic Theatre.
While the vote from the board was unanimous, there were some in the crowd who preferred another choice. During the public participation, Jessie Reavis asked the board to consider a candidate more familiar with the school and its students. She praised acting superintendent Tom Holoman as an excellent choice. "No external candidate can know what we need."
Board member Misty Naleppa later thanked Reavis for her comments adding that Holoman is important to this district.
Board member Misty Naleppa later thanked Reavis for her comments adding that Holoman is important to this district.
Backer said the Pennsylvania School Board Association provides the district with vetted candidates that they can interview. She wouldn't comment on who or how many candidates they looked at, but said Thomas rose to the top. "His credentials, his background, his experience," she listed as the reasons. "He's been at all different size schools."
"Every district I've been at has been a positive experience," Thomas said after the meeting. "Right now I'm in a position in my life I can choose where I want to be. This place is the place I want to retire from."
"Every district I've been at has been a positive experience," Thomas said after the meeting. "Right now I'm in a position in my life I can choose where I want to be. This place is the place I want to retire from."
Thomas is currently the superintendent at Lowellville Public Schools in Ohio. Late last year, he told the Lowellville school about his intentions to seek a new position as his contract is set to expire on July 31.
On Monday night, he said he will start as soon as he can, but has to meet with his lawyer and school board to know if he'll be allowed to leave his position before his contract is officially up. "I want to make sure they're ready for the transition," he said about leaving the district of about 500 students.
Backer said Holoman will remain the acting superintendent until Thomas is fully in place with Franklin.
She hopes Thomas will provide leadership to help the students and school excel. "I want him to be a strong leader that propels our district to be the best it can be."
Thomas said he was impressed during the interviews that all the school board's questions were centered around the students and their needs. "I'm looking forward to becoming a Knight."
On Monday night, he said he will start as soon as he can, but has to meet with his lawyer and school board to know if he'll be allowed to leave his position before his contract is officially up. "I want to make sure they're ready for the transition," he said about leaving the district of about 500 students.
Backer said Holoman will remain the acting superintendent until Thomas is fully in place with Franklin.
She hopes Thomas will provide leadership to help the students and school excel. "I want him to be a strong leader that propels our district to be the best it can be."
Thomas said he was impressed during the interviews that all the school board's questions were centered around the students and their needs. "I'm looking forward to becoming a Knight."
In other school business, the board approved the 2022-23 budget with no tax increase. The general fund budget anticipates revenues of $37,819,921 and expenditures of $39,035,587. The budget includes a final balance drawdown of $1,215,666.
All other items were approved with the exception of two leave requests. The entire agenda can be found here.
All other items were approved with the exception of two leave requests. The entire agenda can be found here.
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