The educational picture in Carbon County took another turn last night when the Nesquehoning School Board voted to join with the Panther Valley Joint School System, which will consist of Coaldale, Lansford and Summit Hill.

Directors William Starosta, Vincent Marino, Eugene Watto and Joseph Macaluso voted in favor of the move while Joseph Gazdick was opposed. Absent were Peter Slivka and Thomas Mermon.

For months, the Nesquehoning board was on the fence, initially voting to join the Jim Thorpe School System but then rescinding that action. A vote to join Panther Valley followed in a tie.

After last night’s move, it will be up to the Panther board to now either accept or reject Nesquehoning.