Lebanon School District officials reflect on passing of superintendent
The Lebanon School District school board started its committee-of-the-whole meeting with a moment of silent reflection in memory of the passing of Supt. Arthur Abrom.
Members noted Abrom's dedication and vision for the district.
Substitute Supt. Nicole Malinoski later thanked the schools' staff for their work ensuring that the students and staff of the district were top priority during their time of mourning.
"I've shared with many people that we're lucky the people that we have on our team and our district, and working through this tragic event was a true example of leadership, teamwork, collaboration and family," she said. "Within minutes of receiving this news, we were able to assemble a team, create a communication plan, call our board president, meet with our leadership team and disseminate information to our schools as well as communicate with our staff."
"Over the next few days, individuals took on various roles, checked in on each other and staff, as we began to heal from losing Arthur."
Malinoski spent 22 years working for the Cornwall-Lebanon School District in a number of roles, then two years in the Cumberland Valley School District as a multi-site principal, before starting at the Lebanon School District as a secondary director of teaching and learning in July of 2020.
Her title was changed to assistant to the superintendent for secondary teaching and learning on July 1. When Abrom left on medical leave, Malinoski was named substitute superintendent.
Malinoski did not know how long she would be in the position of substitute superintendent.
"It was just a tremendous loss to the district, as I've said. He was a true advocate for our students with a passion for service to the community."
Board President Robert Okonak said the board members would be going into executive session to discuss matters related to hiring a superintendent.
"Dr. Malinoski is serving as our substitute superintendent at this juncture, and until we move forward with a replacement and how we're going to do that, she'll serve in that capacity."
Okonak remembered Arbrom as someone who cared deeply about the community, particularly the children, and was able to look ahead at the future needs of the district.
He said that a superintendent who would honor Abrom would be someone who will make decisions with children at the center, just as Abrom had.
"In my opinion, that's why we're here. (They should) just to continue the outlook of, as he said, HOPE. Help one person every day."
Other business
During the meeting, the board also discussed several matters that would be voted on during the Oct. 16 business meeting, including:
Three change orders for the district's middle school project. One in an amount not to exceed $224,212 for repairs to damage caused by a sinkhole, another in the amount of $1,513 for a larger pad for the gas meter, and the third in the amount of $75,303 for unforeseen conditions related to the paving of Wilhelm Avenue, with North Cornwall Township expected to share some of the cost.
Three credits for the middle school project were also shared. The first, in the amount of $1,179 to eliminate a plaque at the concessions building, the second in the amount $47,859 to eliminate the final cleaning from the contract, opting to have the cleaning done in-house, and the third in the amount of $31,771 for the shortening length of the gas line going to the school.
One credit in the amount of $21,540 for the districts A/V project, for unused allowances.
The creation of four new clubs at the district will also be voted on: history club, Iron Cedars (weight training), Cedar Crochet, and All Pro Dads.
Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on X @djlarlham.
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon school board holds first meeting since Arthur Abrom's passing
