North Schuylkill appoints new elementary principal

Hyun Soo Lee, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

Mar. 17—North Schuylkill Elementary School has appointed a new principal for the 2023-24 school year.

Janel Hansbury, the current assistant elementary principal, will succeed Principal Janice M. Whitaker, who is retiring at the end of the school year after seven years in the position.

The North Schuylkill school board voted Wednesday to approve the transfer of assignment for Hansbury from assistant principal to principal, effective July 1, 2023, pending a six-month evaluation. Her salary will be $87,000.

Hansbury, a 2001 graduate of North Schuylkill, has held her current position for about eight years.

"I'm very excited to see Janel take the next step in her educational and professional career," said Superintendent Robert Ackell.

With Hansbury's promotion, Edward Pavalko, the secondary dean of students, will take over as assistant elementary principal, effective July 1, 2023, at a salary of $67,500.

Also at Wednesday's meeting, the board approved a request by the Nativity BVM High School football team to use North Schuylkill's Ghosh Orthodontics Field at Spartan Stadium for its home games.

Nativity BVM will play five games on the field during the fall 2023 football season, at a cost of $2,000 per game.

The team, which does not have a football field, formerly played its home games in Saint Clair.

The board also acted on the following agenda items:

—Approved the Schuylkill Technology Center budget as presented. North Schuylkill's share of the STC secondary budget for 2023-24 is $743,409. In the 2022-23 school year, it was $721,824.

—Appointed Sue Prushinski as a teacher for the Schuylkill ACHIEVE After-School Program Cohort 10 for the 2022-23 school year at a rate of $24.40 per hour.

—Accepted the resignation of Tabitha Walsh, elementary teacher, effective as soon as released from the district.

—Accepted the resignation of Brianna Sharp, secondary science teacher, effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085