The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

October 23, 2012

Biblis abruptly resigns, citing ‘animosity,’ ‘tension’ on board

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

HERMITAGE — Hermitage School Board’s president and longest serving member resigned Monday, apparently catching her fellow board members and school administrators off guard.

After the pledge to the flag and moment of silence Monday to open the meeting, Laurie Ann Biblis read a brief statement, announced she was resigning from the board effective immediately and walked out with her daughter, Nicole, who had resigned a day earlier as varsity volleyball coach.

“That was different,” said Timothy Kizak who, as vice president, took over running the meeting.

“This is sudden and unexpected,” said Superintendent Dr. Daniel Bell. He later thanked her for her nearly nine years of volunteer service to the board.

Biblis said she was proud of things that have been accomplished during her tenure, but that the athletic program never exceeded her expectations.

She said the “animosity, tension and lack of respect” on the board was “absurd.”

She thanked Bell and former board member Jane Levine Matusick, a former running mate, for supporting her over the years.

Biblis brought a glass-half-full attitude and a can-do spirit to the board. At times, she would agree with criticisms leveled at the board or the way certain issues were handled, but always pledged to make them right.

Dr. Morren J. Greenburg said Biblis had worked hard and, “for a period of years, has done a very good job.” Some of things she said in her statement were “correct,” he said.

“I’m sad that she did it this way,” Greenburg said.

When other members of the board were asked about Biblis’ comments, Chris Ruffo and Rob Gelesky said they came as a “complete surprise.”

Bell said he will be discussing with legal counsel and the board about replacing Biblis, and whether the format used in the past is acceptable.

Officials were not sure if Biblis’ appointed replacement would serve the rest of her term or until the next election, a year from November, or if the board would be bound by her political party affiliation, Democrat.

State law requires that all discussions, interviews of school board candidates and deliberations be held in public.

Biblis, 51, was first elected to the board in November 2003 and re-elected in 2007 and 2011.

Her departure leaves Kizak and Greenburg as the longest tenured board members. Each was appointed Jan. 12, 2004.

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