Katsock to fill vacancy on W-B school board

WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board voted unanimously Thursday to appoint Christine Katsock to fill the vacancy of former school board president James Height, who pleaded guilty last month in connection with an ongoing corruption probe.

Katsock, a longtime political watchdog, was one of eight candidates trying to win a seat on the school board in the May 19 primaries on the Democratic and Republican tickets.

The board voted 7-0 to appoint her at a special board meeting.

“I’m honored that the board members chose me, but I’m also grateful for the voters, as well, that made me the top vote-getter in the primary election,” said Katsock, 39.

Katsock, a Wilkes-Barre native who first ran for public office in 1999, will be sworn in by Luzerne County Judge Joseph Musto at the June 30 board meeting. The term for the unpaid position expires in December.

Height, 53, resigned from the position shortly before federal authorities charged him with accepting $2,000 for helping a contractor attempt to secure a contract within the district.

Height was charged less than a month after the arrest of fellow board member Brian Dunn. The former board president served on the board since 2002.

Federal authorities previously arrested Dunn, 45, of Wilkes-Barre, and Pittston Area School Superintendent Ross Scarantino. Both men were accused of accepting bribes in exchange for the awarding contracts in April.

Height pleaded guilty last month to a single count of corrupt receipt of reward for official action and agreed to cooperate with authorities in an ongoing federal investigation of schools.

He is likely to be sentenced to 12 to 18 months in prison in exchange for the plea.

Despite the ongoing corruption probe into schools, Katsock said she is looking forward to moving the board in the right direction.

“Christine is going to be a great asset to the board. She’s very well respected and she’s very well-known,” said board member Frank Pizzella. “The board felt that she should be nominated to be put on the board.”

Katsock ran unsuccessfully for school board in 1999 and 2001. She was also a candidate for Wilkes-Barre City Council and mayor.

Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.