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Election director: Ballot mailing leads to higher costs

HANOVER TWP. — John Mahle got another year as Hanover Area School Board president during Tuesday’s annual reorganization meeting. He was the only nominee and was approved unanimously.

The regular monthly meeting began immediately after, with Superintendent Nathan Barrett making several announcements, including plans to host a food distribution for the community on Dec. 17 beginning at 3 p.m. at the high school. The distribution is being done in partnership with the Commission on Economic Opportunity.

Barrett also said Board Member Vince Kopko’s efforts to solicit donations to offset the costs of technology equipment for students has paid off, with NorthPoint Development agreeing to donate $35,000. The money will help make technological access “more equitable for students,” he said. NorthPoint has done substantial business developments in district boundaries.

And Barrett announced the district had completed its laptop distribution, noting some parents opted not to take district computers, working instead with personal equipment while the district remains in remote-only learning due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. He did note that once the pandemic is under control and students can return to school, they all must use district equipment and cannot bring personal computers into the school network for security reasons.

The voting session was brief and the agenda light. It included an agreement to have occupational therapy sessions provided as need at a rate of $55 per hour and a Memorandum of Understanding between the district and Earth Conservancy “regarding land donation of approximately 24 acres pending approval from the superintendent and district solicitor.” No explanation was provided.

The board also voted to enter into a contract addendum with the superintendent to adjust his salary to $125,000 per year, pro-rated, effective Jan. 1. Barrett was hired in July of 2019 at a starting salary of $118,000.

Mahle re-appointed as Hanover Area president; superintendent gets raise