The Panther Valley School District is looking for a new business manager.

Jesse Walck, who has served the district as business manager for the past five years, accepted a position with the Allentown School District.

The Allentown School Board unanimously approved his hiring at a meeting Thursday night. He will serve as executive director of financial planning at an annual salary of $150,000.

Walck was hired in June 2020 at a salary of $75,000, and his rate increased to $87,550 for the current school year.

“I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish during my time at Panther Valley,” he said. “Along with the rest of the administration, we have always tried to look for ways to improve offerings for students without increasing the burden on taxpayers. I believe we have been largely successful over the past five school years.

“But there is still work to be done,” Walck said.

Panther Valley has a good core of community-minded people, he said, and he hopes they will carry the district forward and he hopes to see the day the district opens a new elementary school, as it’s needed.

“I am moving to a role where I will be able to make a difference for a greater amount of students and look forward to the challenge,” he said on Friday.

An Air Force veteran, Walck earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in economics from Temple University and received a master’s in business administration from Wilkes University.

During his tenure at Panther Valley, Walck received the 2023 ASBO International Pinnacle of Achievement Award for the Shared Service agreement, which resulted in savings and more funds to be spent on student learning.

He also worked with attorneys for the fair funding lawsuit to provide documents and understanding to be able to effectively argue the case and ensure increased funding for all underfunded schools.

To date, Panther Valley is receiving more than $3.8 million in recurring revenue, and that number is expected to climb to more than $21 million a year as funding is fully phased in, Walck said.

He has also managed the district’s finances, taking the district’s fund balance from $90,000 to more than $8 million, ensuring the district is financially healthy and sustainable, and allow it to better provide resources for students and staff, he said.

Walck plans to stay with the district through mid-June, and the district has already begun a search for a replacement.

Panther Valley listed the open business manager position on PA REAP, an online recruitment and application service for educators, and other education websites with career listings.

According to the online listings, the business manager oversees the financial operations and business functions of the district.

Key responsibilities were listed as financial oversight, accounting and auditing, and management of grants, a self-funded health care plan, business office staff, and facilities and operations.

The business manager is also responsible for transportation operations, cafeteria/national school lunch program support, human resources support, compliance with federal, state and local regulations, and strategic planning.

The online listings do not have a starting salary, but say the compensation will be competitive based on experience.

Walck said the district has received applications for the position, and interviews are expected to begin next week.