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BELLEFONTE -- Nearly two dozen members of the Bellefonte Area School District community, particularly those with ties to its middle school, turned out to show support for two of its principals at the board of director's voting session this week.
Public comment took up about half of the two-hour long meeting Tuesday, as 19 different community members -- from current and former teachers, students, graduates, parents and other staff -- came out to ask the board to keep Dr. Sommer Garman in her administrative role at the middle school and Dr. Joe Eckenroth at Pleasant Gap Elementary School
Though details were not shared on what potential transfers may take place, the board did unanimously approve "the decision in matter of employee #1689" under personnel in its agenda.
Asked by The Express what these transfers might entail, Superintendent Dr. Roy Rakszawski, said details were still being finalized internally.
"Although the board took action related to this, it is not yet finalized internally. Once I announce it to the community, I will be able to give you a statement," Rakszawski said.
Even without complete confirmation, public comment was full of individuals who spoke out against the rumors that Garman might be transferred elsewhere.
Many spoke about the impact Garman had on their time as BAMS.
Annie Cernuska, a Walker Township resident and Class of 2025 graduate, noted she served as her class's valedictorian, was class president all four years of high school and was captain of both soccer and track and field during her time with the district.
"While those accomplishments happened during my high school years, I can honestly say the foundation for much of my leadership began earlier in my school experience. It was at the Bellefonte Area Middle School under the leadership of Dr. Sommer Garman," Cernuska said, speaking on Garman's kindness, compassion and involvement in the day-to-day life of students and staff at the middle school.
"Those years were formative for me and Dr. Garman was more than just the principal. She was an educator who intentionally created opportunities for students to lead, to serve and to believe that their voices mattered," she said.
She asked the board to consider the impact a potential move of Dr. Garman could take on the students and staff in years to come at BAMS.
"As someone who has benefited directly from her leadership I respectfully as the board to reconsider this decision or at the very least fully weigh the impact," she said.
Another former student told the board she moved frequently during her schooling career and went to nine different schools before coming to BAMS.
"Before Bellefonte, I had attended nine schools throughout my life. If you were to ask me any of my principals names I couldn't tell you. The only name that I remember is Dr. Garman," she said. "My first impression of her was kindness and nothing but warmth. She was a friendly face in a hall full of judgey middle schoolers."
Current students echoed much of these statements.
Trevor, an eleventh grade student at BAHS, echoed the impact Garman had on his experience at BAMS.
"Seventh grade was one of the hardest years of my life. I was constantly called names, I was failing classes, I was struggling to connect with teachers (but) I always knew I had the resources to go to her if I was struggling with anything," he said. "She helped me with homework, with students I had problems with."
With a younger sister heading to middle school, Trevor told the board he hoped she would have the same level of support in Garman as he did.
"It would absolutely kill me to see her not have the resource to go to if she's struggling," he said.
Other students, such as Ella, another eleventh grade student at BAHS, said she was concerned about the removal of a female authority figure and what that might mean for the girls at BAMS.
She said when she was having troubles and needed help personally, she always felt better talking to Garman.
This sentiment was shared by incoming BAHS senior Kayla who said she wouldn't have felt as comfortable talking to a male administrator when she struggled with severe anxiety during her time at BAMS.
Current and former teachers also spoke about Garman's impact on their lives.
Natalee West, a Spanish teacher at BAMS, told the board Garman not only had a major impact on her as a teacher, but personally as well.
"From day one Dr. Garman made me feel seen, she welcomed me with a smile, created a safe space where I could ask questions, make mistakes and grow. She became someone I could always trust," West said.
Former BAMS teacher, Samantha Raabe, who currently teaches sixth grade in the Tyrone Area School District, said she knew she needed to make the drive on short notice for Garman.
"There are some people that come into your life and inspire you in the moment. And then there are some people whose impact follows you forever. Every decision, every person, every opportunity you have to lead. And for me that person is Dr. Garman," Raabe said.
"Dr. Garman didn't just teach me about education, she showed me what it means to truly care about people. She taught me that being an educator is so much more than what's being taught inside the walls of a classroom. It's about relationships, showing up," she continued.
Raabe encouraged the board to reconsider the potential transfer, noting the impact Garman's had on others has rippled out into communities as far as Tyrone.
Aaron Jones, eighth grade social studies teacher at BAMS, also spoke about Garman's steady leadership, saying it was one of the biggest reasons -- while going through some difficult times personally -- he never had to be concerned about his classroom or his students.
"I want to make sure the board hears from a current teacher that she has done that for me. She does for a lot of us here in this building, currently, and that just cannot be stated enough," he said. He told the board any member could reach out to him to hear more about his experiences if they chose.
Molly Hoover, a Julian resident and sixth grade teacher at the middle school, said she empathized with the board and the difficult decisions it faces regarding staff. She noted she currently serves as board president of the Bald Eagle Area School District.
"I understand that sometimes difficult staffing decisions have to be made. I've also taught for 32 years," she said. In her career, Hoover said she'd worked in every school within BASD. However, when given the opportunity to finish her teaching career at the middle school, she jumped at the chance.
"I quickly reapplied and I"m looking forward to finishing my career at the middle school with Dr. Garman," she said. "Trust me, I understand what it's like to be on that side of the table. I have been there and I am still there. I just hope that you take into consideration that all these people are here to support Dr. Garman."
Marine Corp veteran and former substitute teacher at BASD, Beth Ash, said Garman embodies all the qualities she was taught about during her time in the military.
"She is truly the captain of this ship. She's an outstanding leader in this district. My kids loved coming to school everyday and seeing her," she said.
Multiple parents also spoke about Dr. Garman's impact on their children's lives.
"Being principal is more than what can be quantified in numbers, on middle students especially, I think it is more accurately reflected in smiles, laughter, excitement and something discovered and returning home feeling like they had safety and support during their school day," one parent told the board. "My children have thrived academically and emotionally under Dr. Garmen's direction at Bellefonte Middle School. "
This same parent said she received multiple messages from parents who could not attend Tuesday's meeting voicing support for Dr. Garman to remain in her current role.
Though Garman's role at BAMS was a central part of public comment, parents and teachers at Pleasant Gap Elementary School also spoke about rumors its principal, Dr. Joe Eckenroth, might be transferred.
One parent said there is concern in the Pleasant Gap community that it might lose the consistency Eckenroth has brought.
"We are concerned about the effect on the Pleasant Gap community. I left my five-week old and I have a spit up shirt because we truly value Dr. Eckenroth and the consistency he's brought and community. We would be very sad to potentially see him go if that is the action that you take," she said.
A parent of students who attended both Pleasant Gap Elementary and BAMS also spoke out against the possible loss changes.
She told the board she had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Eckenroth as both an assistant principal at BAMS and his move to his current role in Pleasant Gap. She said both Eckenroth and Garman were exactly where they needed to be.
April Mix, a first grade teacher at Pleasant Gap Elementary, acknowledged the difficult decisions the board faced regularly, but said she wanted to share her perspective of the possible changes.
"I've been very fortunate to work under Dr. Eckenroth who has created an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. That kind of leadership is not something we should take for granted. It has made me a better educator and I know that many others feel the same," Mix said.
The final person to speak during public comment was Board President Jon Guizar, noting he was speaking on behalf of his family, including children who attended BAMS.
"I want to publicly acknowledge Dr. Garman for her many years of hard work and dedication to our students, our families and our community. Dr. Garman you have served this district tirelessly and your contributions are deeply appreciated," Guizar said.
Guizar also thanked Rakszawski for his work to help improve the district.
"I want to thank our superintendent for his strong leadership, his commitment to optimizing our human resources across the district in all of our schools. I personally welcome his strategic vision and excitement about the future of our schools and our students and about aligning leadership expertise with current school needs and bringing fresh perspectives where they can have the greatest impact," he said.
During the personnel discussion, Board Member Donna Smith also spoke about the decision being made.
Smith said she loves her role on the board, but noted in moments such as this it was difficult.
"It's times like this where I wonder if I really belong in this position, because it is difficult to have to either at times disappoint or gladden the community and make those hard decisions. But unfortunately I have accepted that role and I'm obligated to vote on this matter," she said.
As a former teacher, Smith acknowledged the important role principals and other administrators play in school environments, offering kudos to Garman's work at BAMS.
"She is absolutely everything that everyone said about her. I respect her as a woman, as a leader. I respect her heart, her positivity and her kindness, all of these things are absolutely 100 percent true," she said.
However, she said her role as a school board member is the "10,000-foot view" to allow the administration and staff to make the choices they feel are best for the district and its students.
"I also therefore will uphold Dr. Rakszawski, because I believe in the autonomy of our central offices... to make the decisions that we pay him to do and that he is most aptly equipped to make," she said. "My heart is very heavy and it's hard for me to make this decision but at the end of the day I'm going to support our administration."
Following Smith's comments, the board voted 6-0 to approve the personnel item. Board member Timothy Kessling abstained and member Kristin Lyons and Vice President Nate Campbell were absent from Tuesday's meeting.