Pine-Richland School Board Directors
Honored for Years of Service

Two Pine-Richland School Directors are being honored for their 16 years of combined service to public education.

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association officially recognized board president Stephen Hawbaker and school director Gary Deschamps for eight years of service each at the state wide educational conference held in Hershey this fall.The two are being added to the PSBA “Honor Roll of School Board Service”. The Honor Roll is the association’s way of saying thank you to those individuals who exemplify leadership and give unselfishly of their time and talents for the future of public schools.

“School directors continually are spending more of their personal time on school-related activities,” said PSBA President Frederick Botterbusch, II. “That shows a real commitment on their part.”

In addition to serving as president, Hawbaker, who lives in Richland Township with his wife Tamela, has served as vice president and on numerous committees. Hawbaker and his wife have three children.

Hawbaker began serving as a director in 2001. That was the same year, that Deschamps began serving.  In 2003 and 2004, Deschamps served as vice president and as president in 2006 and 2007. 

Deschamps, who currently serves on the operational services committee, is retiring from the board.

Both Hawbaker and Deschamps have contributed to maintaining the current millage rate for the last five years.

Deschamps served nearly all of his time on the board, while Dr. James Manley served as superintendent of Pine-Richland School District.  Manley, who retired in June, describes Deschamps as an individual who always focused on creating a high performing school district by delving into student achievement.

“Gary Deschamps’ contributions to the school district over the past eight years have been numerous and significant,” said Manley. “He displayed the keen ability to provide a balance between the needs of children and the concerns of the taxpayers.  I admire your thought provoking insights into dealing with complex problems and issues.”

The board meeting on Nov. 17 was Deschamps’ last meeting. Deschamps and his wife Patricia, who live in Richland Township, have five children.

Pine Township resident Jeffrey Banyas will take Deschamps seat in December. Banyas is an ear, nose and throat specialist.