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<p>HANOVER TWP. &#8212; Amid controversy over a transportation contract and a state audit, Hanover Area School District could be headed for a leadership transition.</p><p>Superintendent William Jones is on leave, district solicitor Jack Dean confirmed Sunday, and the board is scheduled to meet this week about appointing an acting superintendent.</p><p>Dean declined to comment on the reason for the leave, or how long it is expected to last, saying it was a personnel matter.</p><p>According to a legal notice, the board will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the high school auditorium for the purpose of naming someone to take over the role on an acting basis.</p><p>&#8220;The meeting on Tuesday is strictly for appointing an acting superintendent,&#8221; Dean said.</p><p>Last week the board terminated a contract with a transportation firm run by the parents of Board President Frank Ciavarella, a move prompted by an overpayment of about $250,000 the district made for van services in the 2017-18 school year.</p><p>Dean said Tuesday the problem was discovered during an audit by the business manager and was reported to both the state auditor general and the Luzerne County District Attorney&#8217;s office.</p><p>The error appeared to be on the district&#8217;s end, Dean said last week, because the correct mileage was submitted by the company, but incorrect mileage was entered into the computer to use in calculating payments. The actual payment should have been about $136,000 for the year, but was close to $400,000.</p><p>The contract was terminated because Frank J. and Dorothy Ciavarella had not responded to requests for repayment of the $250,000.</p><p>Jones, who usually attends board meetings, was not present at Tuesday night&#8217;s meeting when the matter was discussed. </p><p>Board member Frank Ciavarella abstained when the latest contract was approved in June 2017, and recused himself from the votes regarding his father&#8217;s business last Tuesday night. The rest of the board voted to terminate the contract effective March 1.</p><p>Staff from the state Auditor General&#8217;s office visited district offices on Thursday. Spokesman Gary Miller said via email that the AG&#8217;s office is &#8220;in the middle of an audit of the district that started in mid-October. I can&#8217;t comment further on an ongoing audit, but we&#8217;ll make a report available upon completion.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Hanover Area School District Superintendent William Jones, second from left, gives a report during a school board meeting. Solicitor Jack Dean confirmed Sunday that Jones is on leave, but offered no further details, saying it was a personnel matter. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL091118HanoverSchoolBoard_1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Hanover Area School District Superintendent William Jones, second from left, gives a report during a school board meeting. Solicitor Jack Dean confirmed Sunday that Jones is on leave, but offered no further details, saying it was a personnel matter. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Dan Stokes</p><p>dstokes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Hanover Area: Acting superintendent sought as Jones put on leave