The Hanover Area School Board voted to accept the resignation of school director Anthony Spinozza Thursday night.
Spinozza pleaded guilty last month to accepting money in exchange for a school contract.
Thursday night was the first board meeting since Spinozza pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. He served about 10 years on the Hanover Area School Board. Now the board is looking to find a replacement.
"We are all livid and very disappointed that it happened, but we will move on," said school board vice president David Evans.
Spinozza is the 18th person and sixth area school official charged in the Luzerne County corruption scandal.
School Board President Anthony Gagliardi admits the road ahead won't be easy.
"We do have to earn the trust back of the community, I think we do," said Gagliardi. "Just by being open, which we always were but by being more open."
Last month, Spinozza pleaded guilty to taking kickbacks for a school contract. In court, he acknowledged he took more than $5,000 from a contractor who did business with the Hanover Area school district.
Spinozza promised to work with federal investigators in their ongoing probe into corruption in Luzerne County and he agreed to resign as a school director.
The board has 30 days to fill Spinozza's spot. The person the board approves will serve the remaining two years of Spinozza's term.
"We still have eight good board members who are solid and didn't do nothing," said Evans. "I think the trust is there just because somebody else steps out of line."
"Lets face it, the reality is there is a big spotlight on this area, the FBI are here. If you don't think people are going to be scared and respond to that, if they don't know now, they never would," said Bonnie Mattick of Hanover Township.
For the next two weeks, the Hanover Area School Board is accepting applications to fill Spinozza's position.
The board will approve a candidate at a special meeting on November 23.
Anthony Spinozza faces up to 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced.
Spinozza pleaded guilty last month to accepting money in exchange for a school contract.
Thursday night was the first board meeting since Spinozza pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. He served about 10 years on the Hanover Area School Board. Now the board is looking to find a replacement.
"We are all livid and very disappointed that it happened, but we will move on," said school board vice president David Evans.
Spinozza is the 18th person and sixth area school official charged in the Luzerne County corruption scandal.
School Board President Anthony Gagliardi admits the road ahead won't be easy.
"We do have to earn the trust back of the community, I think we do," said Gagliardi. "Just by being open, which we always were but by being more open."
Last month, Spinozza pleaded guilty to taking kickbacks for a school contract. In court, he acknowledged he took more than $5,000 from a contractor who did business with the Hanover Area school district.
Spinozza promised to work with federal investigators in their ongoing probe into corruption in Luzerne County and he agreed to resign as a school director.
The board has 30 days to fill Spinozza's spot. The person the board approves will serve the remaining two years of Spinozza's term.
"We still have eight good board members who are solid and didn't do nothing," said Evans. "I think the trust is there just because somebody else steps out of line."
"Lets face it, the reality is there is a big spotlight on this area, the FBI are here. If you don't think people are going to be scared and respond to that, if they don't know now, they never would," said Bonnie Mattick of Hanover Township.
For the next two weeks, the Hanover Area School Board is accepting applications to fill Spinozza's position.
The board will approve a candidate at a special meeting on November 23.
Anthony Spinozza faces up to 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced.
