Palmerton Area School District’s former athletic director has formally agreed to resign from his position effective March 31, according to a resignation agreement provided by the district.

The school board approved the district’s agreement with Kyle Porembo in January. The district released a heavily redacted version of the agreement earlier this month, following a Times News Right To Know request. The newspaper filed an appeal leading to the release of the unredacted document.

According to the document, Porembo was put on paid administrative leave on Dec. 4. The paid leave will continue until his resignation date.

The reason for Porembo’s administrative leave and resignation is not explicitly stated in the agreement and district officials have not commented publicly, citing it as a “personnel matter.”

The district approved athletic trainer David Smith as temporary athletic coordinator effective Dec. 10 with a $300/week payment.

According to emails obtained through a Right To Know request, High School Principal Paula Husar was handling some athletic department duties following Porembo being placed on leave.

“Mr. Porembo will not be returning to the district,” Husar said in a Jan. 20 email to coaches and game staff. “I have been doing the best I can to keep things moving forward.”

Husar also suggested future changes such as scheduling games on days when school is not in session.

Husar continued, “I appreciate how hard our coaches work. We just have to make sure that things are in order and we are following school board policies and procedures.”

Other emails obtained through the RTK showed Husar responded to coaches who were seeking gym time.

Under the resignation agreement, Porembo will continue receiving his current salary and benefits through March 31. Porembo will also have the option to enroll in COBRA health care benefits at his own expense starting April 1.

The agreement allowed for Porembo to apply for unemployment benefits without opposition from the district. Furthermore, within 10 business days of signing the agreement, the school district was required to remove all documentation related to Porembo’s administrative leave.

The agreement includes a mutual non-disparagement clause, prohibiting both Porembo and the district from making negative statements about one another, unless legally required.

Both parties have also agreed not to file any future legal claims against each other, covering all potential employment-related disputes.

Last week, Palmerton hired Justin Petersen to the dual role of assistant high school principal and athletic coordinator at a salary of $92,000. Petersen is currently a Palmerton Area High School biology teacher, a position he has held for nearly a decade. He is also the current Palmerton varsity wrestling coach.

Terry Ahner contributed to this report.