During the Whitehall-Coplay School Board meeting June 23, the board congratulated athletic director Bob Hartman as he moves on to retirement after 30 years with the district.

“Thanks a ton. I appreciate it,” Hartman said. “Thirty years here has been really, really good. Over 30 years, the faces have changed. Without any reservation, over the 23 years as athletic director, the support from you all (the board) is why we do well here.

“You guys have always done what was ultimately right for our kids,” Hartman added.

Schiffert said a few words, thanking Hartman for his time at the school.

“Whitehall is a better place, the league is a better place, the district is a better place, and really, our state is a better place because of all the roles Bob has had,” Schiffert said. “Bob cannot be replaced.”

The board presented Hartman with a thank-you video filled with well wishes from his family, faculty members and Whitehall-Coplay athletes, including alum and Philadelphia Eagle Saquon Barkley.

“This is the first time I’ve cried,” Hartman said.

In other business, the board approved the supplemental salary increase for Superintendent Christopher Schiffert and the supplemental increase in pay for Assistant Superintendent Renee Sallit.

The board also approved the salaries for 93 employees for the 2025-26 school year, the nonunion support security and substitute rates, the confidential employee compensation plan, the food service fund employees compensation act and the security employees compensation plan.

The meeting continued with financial approvals for the 2025-26 school year.