The Elizabethtown Area School District has appointed a new athletic director, tapping the district's middle school counselor to fill a position that was vacated at the end of March
In naming Linda Ahern to the post during the Tuesday school board work session, the district has promoted a longtime coach and athletic department supporter who has worked in the district since 1975.
Speaking after the meeting, Ahern said she was energized for her new role. She said she hopes to bring more cohesion to the district's athletic programs.
"We've had so much turnover and we just need someone to pull together all the organizations and get on the same page and work together," she said.
Ahern replaces Lauren Cavallaro, who resigned March 31 after less than a year to take a position at Rice University.
Ahern was chosen following an internal interview process. Michele Balliet, the district superintendent, said she appreciates Ahern's familiarity with the district.
"She's got a history here and is very well respected, and that is something that means a lot to me," Balliet said after the meeting.
Ahern's athletic background includes serving as head coach for girls basketball from 1980 to 1982 and for field hockey from 2005 to 2007. She was also assistant field hockey coach from 1979 to 1989 and from 2007 to 2009, in addition to serving as assistant track coach from 1976 to 1984.
Ahern has a bachelor's degree in art from Lock Haven University and a master's of education from Millersville University. As athletic director, Ahern's annual salary is $87,500.
In a buildings and grounds committee meeting before the work session, George Longridge, the district's business manager, said he was adding some roof repair work at Bainbridge Elementary School to the district's capital improvement projects for the 2013-14 school year.
The work, which Longridge estimated would cost $13,000, would fix some sections of broken slate while adding venting to keep slate from sliding off.
District officials have been considering a comprehensive repair of the elementary school's roof, a project whose estimated price tag of $656,000 has raised the issue of whether the district should close the small school instead of paying to keep it open.
At Tuesday's meeting, Longridge said the minor roof repairs would help keep the building in better shape for another year while the school board considers a final decision on the school.
