Six unidentified applicants -- all from Pennsylvania -- are vying to replace Ligonier Valley Superintendent Stephen J. Whisdosh, who will retire June 29.
"We just received two applications today, and we expect a few more," said district school board President Irv Tantlinger after Tuesday's monthly meeting.
The district's superintendent search committee is composed of Tantlinger; board Vice President Kevin McGlaughlin and fellow board members Kevin Pahach and Ray Beam; and district residents Dorothy C. Ritenour-Boring, of Bolivar, a former district board member; John E. Maier, of New Florence, who is director of educational services for Richland School District in Johnstown; and local entrepreneur Joseph M. Byers of Ligonier.
The committee is advertising the pending opening on the Pennsylvania School Board Association's Web site and in several local and regional newspapers, Tantlinger said. The committee plans to meet Feb. 4 to review and discuss the first round of applications.
"If we have to readvertise for additional applicants upon review of these applications, we will," Tantlinger said.
The board voted unanimously yesterday to accept the resignation of recently elected board member Michael Mannion for health and personal reasons.
"The board accepts Mr. Mannion's resignation regretfully," Tantlinger said.
Mannion, whom Tantlinger replaced yesterday on the superintendent search committee, was elected to a four-year term in November's general election after he was appointed by the board to replace Joseph Ludwig in June.
The board encouraged those interested in filling the board vacancy to send applications to board Secretary James Marnell at the administration office.
"We hope to be able to act on this at the next board meeting," Tantlinger said.
In other business, the board approved participation in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program through the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, by which local businesses can make donations to help fund district educational programs.
"The innovative educational programs will provide our students and staff with resources to experience real-world educational applications in a variety of areas," Whisdosh said.
The next meeting is 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at Ligonier Valley High School.
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