Federal Investigation of Schools

December 5, 2009

Board member named at WVW

Lois Schumacher replaces Allen Bellas, who was charged in federal corruption scandal.

KINGSTON – Wyoming Valley West School Board named a new board member to take the place of former member Allen Bellas, who is charged in the ongoing federal corruption scandal in Luzerne County.

The board voted unanimously at a special meeting Friday to appoint Lois Schumacher of Kingston and to approve a contract for Superintendent Charles Suppon. Schumacher was one of five applicants who had sought to fill the vacancy.

Schumacher’s appointment was effective immediately.

“I’m very happy to have been appointed,” said Schumacher, 69. “To me this is quite a venture. I am truly honored they would ask me to do it.”

Bellas of Kingston agreed to plead guilty to corruption charges and resigned from the school board on Oct. 16.

Prosecutors say Bellas accepted a bribe in his capacity as executive director of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority in exchange for getting a contractor approved for a tax-forgiveness program.

The board accepted Bellas’ forced resignation in early November.

Shortly after Bellas resigned, the board received letters from applicants interested in filling the position, which was not advertised, according to Vice President Joseph Mazur.

“The board has decided whom they wanted. We chose from these five people who applied and that’s what we went with it,” he said.

Schumacher, who is currently employed as assistant board secretary at the Luzerne Immediate Unit, said that position would in no way be a conflict of interest.

“I know the workings that go on, but I’m not privy to all the inside information at the LIU,” she said.

Mazur said there was no rush to fill the vacancy.

“It’s a new day and we just want to move on,” said Mazur, noting that the next meeting is Dec. 9.

A new board president is expected to be elected at that meeting, he said.

Board members on Friday also agreed to have Mazur and the board secretary sign the superintendent’s contract, which is pending review by its solicitor.

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