West Middlesex schools hire new business manager, recognizes staff

David L. Dye, The Herald, Sharon, Pa.
·2 min read

May 24—WEST MIDDLESEX — West Middlesex Area School District will have a new business manager in place by the end of the school year.

The school board approved a contract Monday for Marykatherine Sternthal as the district's business manager and board secretary.

The appointment was approved unanimously by the board, with only board member Michael Seech absent.

Sternthal will be hired as business manager for a continuous five-year term beginning July 1 or sooner as authorized by Superintendent Raymond Omer, through June 30, 2027.

Her salary for the 2022-23 school year as business manager is $78,000, the agenda states.

Sternthal will serve as school board secretary for a continuous four-year term, from July 1 through June 30, 2026, at an annual salary of $2,500.

Sternthal will replace Business Manager James Hughes, an 11-year employee of the school district.

Hughes announced his intention to retire during the school board's April meeting, with his retirement effective June 29. Board officials hoped to hire his replacement by May or June, giving Sternthal some time to work with Hughes before his retirement.

In other business, the school board recognized the school district's cafeteria and maintenance staff for their efforts during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020.

High school Assistant Principal Aaron Pernesky, along with the department heads, introduced the employees and gave certificates to those present.

Some of the employees' actions included the cafeteria workers arranging meal deliveries for students during remote instruction and the maintenance staff repeatedly sanitizing the school buildings, Pernesky said.

The school board recognized the district's transportation staff and presented them certificates at a meeting earlier this year.

The district operates its own fleet of buses and credited its staff with their actions throughout the pandemic, from using buses to deliver food to transporting students after the return to in-person instruction.

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