Bill Palmer resigns as Greater Latrobe school director; Rhonda Laughlin returns as appointee

Local optometrist Dr. Rhonda Laughlin is returning as an appointee to the Greater Latrobe School Board after an absence of just a few months.

The board this week selected Laughlin by a 7-1 vote to fill a seat vacated by the Feb. 4 resignation of veteran school director Bill Palmer.

Palmer, who is general manager of a construction firm, has served on the board for 12 years and was elected in November to an additional four-year term. He told the Tribune-Review he is moving from the district to be closer to his parents, for whom he is a caretaker.

“I will miss it,” Palmer said of his roles on the school board, which included chairing the technology committee and helping to represent Greater Latrobe on the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center Joint Operating Committee.

“Those 12 years made a big difference in my outlook on life,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed immensely working with the present and past board members and with the superintendents. And I’ve enjoyed working for my main constituents, the district children.”

Laughlin, who served three terms on the board and had been president, failed to gain re-election in 2017. But she was appointed to the board last year, serving until the panel’s December reorganization, as she completed the term of Steven LoCascio, who died suddenly in May.

Laughlin’s new appointment will expire in December 2023, according to district Solicitor Ned Nakles.

Andrew Repko cast the sole vote against the appointment. He indicated consideration should have been given instead to candidates who waged a campaign for school board last year but finished out of the running.

Repko, Palmer, Heidi Kozar and Merle D. Musick won election in November, each capturing about 20% of the vote, while previous appointee Cathy Sarraf received about 15%. Tom Gockel ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign after falling short in primary balloting.

“I appreciate your time on the board,” Superintendent Mike Porembka told Palmer, who attended Tuesday’s meeting. “You challenged me as an administrator to think outside the box. You always kept our students in the front of your mind, and what’s best for our taxpayers.”

Nakles said Palmer’s professional expertise has proven valuable when construction issues have arisen at district facilities. Palmer also was involved in negotiating a major monetary gift benefiting the district athletic complex, the solicitor said.

“He’s always worried about the kids in the district,” Nakles said.