The Parkland School board meeting began with a welcome to employees who are new to the district for the 2013-14 term.

"The people we hire have the biggest impact on our children here at Parkland," Superintendent Richard Sniscak said at the Sept. 17 meeting.

Director of Human Resources Pam Kelly also commented on the new employees.

"We are very proud of our new hires," Kelly said. "This was very competitive. They are a very talented and special group of individuals who rose to the top."

Because of budgetary constraints, the quantity of new teachers was small, and several are substitutes for individuals who are temporarily on leave and will return to assume their positions in the classroom.

Nevertheless, Kelly reported all of the new hires went through a lengthy screening and interview process, which brought forth these chosen, top quality individuals for the district.

Sniscak introduced Darvin Faust, a member of the South Whitehall Police Department who will serve as a resource officer at Orefield and Springhouse middle schools.

Sniscak reported an administrative team met with South Whitehall police representatives and interviewed five candidates who were all qualified.

"Darvin separated himself from the pack," Sniscak said.

A native of Tamaqua, Faust served four years in the U.S. Air Force, then attended Lehigh Carbon Community College.

He was hired as a South Whitehall patrol officer in 2007.

Faust said his job will be to offer safety and security at the middle schools where he will serve as a connection between the principals and law enforcement.

He will work on bullying and disciplinary issues while also conducting the DARE program.

In other business, the board approved purchase of a Time Clock Plus system from Data Management, Inc. at a cost of $82,729.

The item supplies computerized time and attendance tracking and services.

Sniscak announced a school police officer will be present at all future board meetings as a security measure.