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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The imminent departure of Coughlin High School Principal Pat Patte does not mean Wilkes-Barre Area School District will be bringing someone new aboard, Superintendent Brian Costello said Tuesday. In fact, while all the pieces aren&#8217;t in place, he said the current plan avoids another hire.</p><p>&#8220;Pat will certainly be missed. He was a good asset to our team,&#8221; Costello said. &#8220;The plan is to utilize some of our own staff to replace him at this time.&#8221;</p><p>Patte has been applying for jobs outside the district. He was reportedly runner-up for the job as Hazleton Area School District superintendent earlier this year, and had applied for the post of administrative director at the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center as well. Both jobs went to other applicants.</p><p>But at an Oct. 19 meeting, the Hazleton Area School Board voted to make Patte director of curriculum. Costello said the current plan is to transfer Heights Murray Elementary Principal Hal Gabriel to the principal post at Coughlin High, beginning Monday. An assistant principal will likely be moved into the head post at Heights.</p><p>While all the pieces aren&#8217;t finalized, Costello said he does not expect to hire a new administrator, though some will be moved around. He also did not rule out raises for those taking on new responsibilities.</p><p>&#8220;No new positions are being created by Pat leaving,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We will utilize all of the staff in our administrative ranks to fill that void.&#8221;</p><p>According to state records, Patte&#8217;s salary as principal in 2016-17 was $107,935.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Costello </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Brian-Costello-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Costello </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

WBA superintendent: No immediate hiring for departing Coughlin principal