Board President Russell Giordano and Board Member Thomas Mantz were honored for their years of service at the Nov. 18 school board meeting.

This was the last meeting for both Giordano and Mantz who are retiring after 16 years and 12 years respectively.

Administrators, current and former board members offered their thanks and appreciation to Giordano and Mantz for their commitment to the district and the students.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss thanked both board members for their total commitment to public education and for being advocates for all children.

Board member Mary Ziegler noted Giordano was one of the main reasons she continued on the board after her children graduated. Ziegler thanked Mantz for his tireless efforts with student activities.

Board member Frank Frankenfield said both Giordano and Mantz were driven to make the students succeed and did everything to “make our kids proud to wear our colors.”

Frankenfield said Salisbury has an over 91 percent graduation rate with a large percentage of students going on to college.

“Russ is the biggest proponent of public education,” Frankenfield said. “Tom, thank you for your guidance when I was a new board member.”

Board member George Gatanis said he was “proud and honored to be a part of this board with Tom and Russ.” Gatanis thanked both for their knowledge, drive, time and organization, for studying issues and for tracking data.

“The school is the main reason we moved here five years ago,” Board member Dr. Chris Spedaliere said. “Thank you for your service.”

Former school director James Pauloski attended the meeting and thanked Giordano for his selfless service and said Giordano was leaving the district in better shape than when he started.

“I wouldn’t have been here for 12 years if I didn’t have respect for the entire board,” Mantz said. “We don’t bicker or fight; we work together. We have a common goals.”

Mantz thanked Director of Student Activities Monica Deeb for her work and support. “We accomplished a lot together,” Mantz said.

“This has been a labor of love,” Giordano said. “Everything we did was to try and make this district as attractive and successful for the community and the students.

“I’ve had a wonderful experience with the board members over the years. They are some of the finest people I’ll ever know,” Giordano said.

Giordano thanked former superintendent Michael Roth for being at the meeting and noted Ziegler and Deeb are “Salisbury’s gift to itself” as they are former students returning to serve the district.

Giordano also recognized board director Carol Klinger, a former teacher who has chosen to serve the district after retirement.

“I hope younger people in the township become involved and join the board,” Giordano said. “I will miss being part of the camaraderie and doing something that really matters.”

In other business, Senior Matthew Fainor was recognized by the board for receiving the 2015 Widener University Leadership Award. Fainor was nominated by Principal Heather Morningstar for his efforts in organizing the “Art: The Tools For Success” gala to benefit the 2013 Baum School of Art Linny’s Kids scholarship fund. Fainor raised $40,000 for the scholarship fund.

Supervisor of Accounting Dawn Nickisher was recognized as a Pennsylvania Registered School Business Administrator by the Pennsylvania Association of School Board Officials.

Giordano, Frankenfield, Gatanis and Mantz were placed on the 2015 Pennsylvania School Boards Association Honor Roll for their years of service. A minimum of eight years of service is required to be placed on the honor roll.