Leadership changes were a central theme for Lehighton Area School District in 2024.

In May, the district and Superintendent Dr. Christina Fish mutually agreed to part ways, ending her tenure nearly 15 months before the expiration of her contract. Fish, who had served since June 2022, received a severance package of $115,000 as part of the separation agreement.

“After much consideration and discussion, the Lehighton Area School District Board of Directors and Dr. Christina Fish have mutually agreed to amicably end their contractual agreement,” the agenda item stated. “Dr. Fish expresses her sincere gratitude to the Lehighton students and families who made her feel welcome. She also thanks the teachers, support staff and the administrative team who have made her tenure successful. The Lehighton School Board thanks Dr. Fish for her service and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors.”

Director Barbara Bowes described “seething anger” when describing how the contract buyout was approached.

“Zac (Hunter), Kerry (Sittler) and I were not informed until after this was a done deal,” Bowes said. “On April 17, I received a phone call that Dr. Fish had been approached about buying out her contract. There was not transparency to everyone on the board. Six people decided this.”

Jeremy Glaush, who was Lehighton’s board president at the time, said that before the April 17 discussion with Fish, “a majority of the board came to him and asked him to approach the superintendent” about the buyout.

“We knew what the reactions of three board members were going to be because I had spoken to two of them a week prior and they had actually expressed their pleasure with Dr. Fish,” Glaush said. “Those three members were contacted, maybe not that week, and maybe not told what action was going to be taken, but they were contacted.”

The district appointed John W. Corby as acting superintendent following Fish’s departure. Corby, serving in this role for the second time, was tasked with maintaining stability during the search for a permanent superintendent. That search concluded in December with the unanimous selection of Jason Moser, an alumnus of Lehighton Area High School. Moser, previously the assistant superintendent of Danville Area School District, expressed enthusiasm about returning to his hometown to lead the district.

“I’m honored to come back and lead in the community where I grew up,” Moser said. “We will focus on providing a world-class education while being mindful stewards of taxpayer resources.”

Moser’s goals include implementing transparent metrics for tracking academic progress, fostering communication between administrators and families, and hosting town hall-style meetings to engage the community. His contract, which runs through June 2028, begins with a base salary of $140,000.

Business office restructuring

The district’s business office experienced notable upheaval in 2024. Business Manager Edward Rarick, who had served since 2020, resigned in January after learning his contract would not be renewed.

Rarick’s tenure was marked by financial accomplishments including increasing the district’s fund balance from $800,000 to over $12.5 million, and initiating cost-saving measures such as bond refinancing and solar power projects.

“The impetus for my resignation was definitely a result of the board’s inaction under provisions of my contract as well as its lack of desire in continuing our relationship,” Rarick said. “Specifically, Article 14 and Article 5, which stated at least annually I was to be informed of any perceived inadequacies or have a right to respond to any investigations, none of which took place.”

Rarick’s successor, Steven Sofranko, resigned in August after just over a month in the position, citing health reasons. In response, the district opted to outsource business management services, first contracting Garnet Financial LLC and later EDM Financial LLC. The decision to outsource, officials said, was driven by the need for stability and expertise amid frequent turnover in the business office. EDM’s responsibilities include overseeing financial operations, conducting audits and transitioning key processes to an outsourced model.

“Outsourcing could streamline operations and reduce political complications,” Glaush, the board’s president, said. “It’s an opportunity to evaluate what works best for the district.”

Looking ahead

Lehighton officials said the district is poised for a fresh start under the leadership of Moser. The focus, they said, will be on academic excellence, community collaboration and financial stewardship.

“To me, it’s about creating generational change,” Moser said. “I’m committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of his or her background, has the opportunity to succeed.”