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School Directors Honor Departing Superintendent

School Superintendent Stan Chapp receives a portrait of himself from School Board President Joseph Close during Thursday’s open caucus session. Chapp will not renew his contract with the school district after it expires officially at the end of this week.

by Jonathan Weaver

It’s the last week as Armstrong School District Superintendent for Stan Chapp, and school board directors and administrators hope they gave him some fond memories during his five years of service.

As well as some cherished parting gifts.

Before Thursday evening’s open caucus session adjourned, School Board President Joseph Close surprised Chapp by revealing a black-and-while drawn portrait of the district leader – much like the kind school directors have received each January during statewide appreciation events.

The picture was drawn by Nic Hill, who will be a sophomore at West Shamokin Junior-Senior High next month. Close said the portrait was drawn before the end of the 2014-15 school year, shortly after Chapp announced in March that he would not renew his contract.

Close thanked Chapp for his diligence during the past five years

“He worked well with us and pursued the goals to get us where we are at now, with the opening of a new school,” Close said. “There was a lot of work going on at the time (of his tenure) – that was the main topic.”

Acting Assistant Superintendent Dr. James Gaggini also presented Chapp with a gold clock engraved to Chapp for his “outstanding dedication and service.”

At the time of his announcement, Chapp thanked Board members for their support.

(“I’m) very proud to have been part some of the incredible changes here the last several years, and I truly thank the Board and the community for their support I’ve experienced in the district. I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed the people here the most of every place I’ve been.”

Chapp’s last school board meeting before his contract ends effective August 15 is tonight at West Hills Intermediate School.

  • By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, August 10, 2015 @ 8:21 PM

    I wonder if the “gold clock” was real gold and if it was on the tax payers to pay for it… Does anyone know? Admin do you know or can you ask?

  • By jerry6, August 10, 2015 @ 8:27 PM

    I don’t know if it is true but I was told by someone that school at the new school isn’t starting till about the 3rd week of September. I was told that the roof on the new school didn’t pass inspection and there are cracks in the floor. Did anyone else hear this?

  • By Flamingo1, August 11, 2015 @ 9:52 AM

    @Jerry 6
    Lots of gossip out there. A crack in the floor? really?
    School starts after Labor Day.
    And your sources for your “bad news”? Probably Elderton parent or JJ.

  • By Elderton Parent, August 12, 2015 @ 7:53 AM

    Flamingo1, you do know what happens when you ASS-U-ME? I have also heard that “rumor” but haven’t shared with anyone because it is a rumor. When or if the district announces a change in the start of school, then it will be fact.

  • By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, August 13, 2015 @ 1:34 PM

    Hey Flamingo,

    speaking of gossip it’s not really nice to point fingers at other posters. It’s funny how rumors start- usually it’s a little bird that told me but apparently big pink birds like to open their yaps too.

    I would like to say that I have also heard this rumor- it would be nice if the KP did a follow up on it since 3 different people have heard it, and I’m assuming even more. Dispelling rumors leaves parents, students and teachers at ease. And if these rumors are true then the school board needs to address the public. They keep sending press releases out about stupid crap about this new school- what about the important things such as whether or not the school is going to collapse on the kids when they walk in on the first day? Safety is more important than some of the stupid crap they publish about…

  • By Just sayin, August 13, 2015 @ 2:43 PM

    Time will tell… perhaps ASD won’t have a summer vacation next year? Good thing the new high school has air conditioning!

    In all seriousness, I heard it was a rumor. If it is, who in the world would start such a thing? Can you IMAGINE being like that?

  • By jerry6, August 13, 2015 @ 4:51 PM

    Dave addressed this rumor about school not starting on Sept. 9th and he said it was just that a rumor. It is funny how I mentioned this on this site and all of a sudden people are blaming everybody for telling this and making a big deal about it. Neither Jorn or Elderton parent told me this. It was a relative who heard this and I hope it is put to rest.

  • By Just sayin, August 14, 2015 @ 9:48 AM

    jerry6: There’s no need to be defensive. A LOT of people are talking about this rumor.
    You clearly wrote, “I don’t know if it is true…” If is it true, I appreciate your honesty in sharing.

    The way construction is put up these days (much of it is poor quality and is built cheaply and quickly), it may very well be true.

    I hope it is NOT true.

  • By Just sayin, August 14, 2015 @ 10:09 AM

    Flamingo1: jj and Elderton parent clash with jerry6 most times. I don’t think they are close.

    Were you trying to stir the pot?

  • By jerry6, August 14, 2015 @ 4:55 PM

    I am laughing about all of this talk of the school roof. I simply asked a question and David Croyle on his Talk of the Town Show Tuesday night said this is nothing but a rumor that has been going on for some time. I am not sticking up for anyone especially Jorn. You say one thing and it gets twisted and causes a big discussion. Lets put this to rest. I have not heard anything about the delay of school. Period-Move On

  • By blutoblutarsky, August 15, 2015 @ 1:54 PM

    Think of how many issues the old schools had compared to a supposed crack in the floor. Classes always went on as usual!

    It’s all likely a rumor.

  • By sid87, August 15, 2015 @ 4:33 PM

    This is indeed a rumor. I was given a tour of the entire building yesterday. If you have not had the opportunity to see it, I encourage you to do so at the open house on Aug 22 from 10-2. The building is nothing short of spectacular! Its something that every student, parent, and district resident should be proud of. I hope the students realize how fortunate they are to have such a beautiful facility. Those of us that have lived in the district for awhile know that hasn’t always been the case. Regardless of your opinion on whether or not the decision to build was the right one, you owe it to yourself to go up and take a tour. Keep an open mind and look around during the open house, I’m sure you will be impressed.

  • By Elderton Parent, August 24, 2015 @ 10:02 AM

    Letters were received that school is starting September 8th.
    justsayin-there is ONE school in the district that is NOT air conditioned. Want to guess which one? Yep, Elderton Elementary. So you think about those students sitting in 80* classrooms trying to learn COMMON CORE math. NORMAL math can be a challenge for students in A/C. 80* and COMMON CORE don’t mix well. Then again, Common core doesn’t mix well with anything.

  • By Elderton Parent, September 4, 2015 @ 10:00 AM

    Hey, I heard a rumor! ASD starts school on September 8th. Now, that is just a rumor.

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