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PLYMOUTH — The Wyoming Valley West School Board on Wednesday unanimously approved Irvin DeRemer as the next superintendent of schools effective July 1.
In accepting the nod, DeRemer credited the district’s current superintendent, Charles Suppon, who is retiring with 39 years of service to the district, including time spent as a teacher, coach, vice principal and principal.
DeRemer also pledged fiscal responsibility.
State Reps. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, and Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, presented Suppon with a citation marking his many years of commitment to the district. Mark Davis, representing the offices of state Sens. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, and Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, also presented Suppon with a citation.
Kaufer, a Wyoming Valley West graduate, said that Suppon has touched the lives of a quarter of a million children.
Luzerne County Councilman Tim McGinley was also on hand, lauding Suppon’s career and wishing him the best of luck in the future.
“He’s dedicated in every capacity. He always put the children first,” said Mullery.
The board also honored Frank Tribendis for his induction into the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame, voting unanimously to name the district’s swimming pool after him.
Tribendis, who serves as the high school’s swimming coach, said it has been a privilege to not only teach the sport but to inspire youngsters. He has led both the boys and girls teams to numerous championships, as evidenced by many banners hanging on the wall of the district’s natatorium.
“This board gave me the opportunity to coach swimming many years ago, and they’ve always been supportive of my efforts,” he said.
He also credits his family — including wife, Sharon, and daughter, Tracey — with making his career possible.
When asked if her father taught her how to swim, Tracey said he did more than teach her how to swim, he taught her how to win.
“Tracey won a gold medal in swimming in the Special Olympics games,” said Sharon.
The board also passed its 2016-2017 final budget in the amount of $74,943,968.
The budget included a 3.34 percent increase in property taxes, which rose from 14.95 mills to 15.45 mills. A mill is $1 in tax on every $1,000 in property assessment.
District Finance Manager Joe Rodriguez cited an increasing pension burden, unfunded and underfunded mandates, an increase in special education costs and increases in such areas as cyber school costs as necessitating the increase.
“We also have a stagnant real estate tax base,” he said.
He encouraged attendees of the meeting to contact their state lawmakers to request additional funding for the district.
“Unfortunately, the state legislators are no longer here,” he said. “But we need to contact them and let them know the financial needs of the district.”
Rodriguez said he was concerned about the financial future of the district.
“We’re okay now, but I can see storm clouds on the horizon,” he said.
