North Pocono board accepts Christopher Bassin resignation, appoints Mark Powell as vice president

The North Pocono School District Board of Education on July 16 accepted the resignation of Christopher Bassin as school board director for Region 3 and vice president, and authorized the superintendent to advertise and interview candidates to fill the vacancy. The board then appointed board member Mark Powell as board vice president until the district’s reorganization meeting on Dec. 4, 2025.

The resignation was read into the record by board member Mr. Jennings as a written statement from Bassin. The statement began, “It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation from the North Pocono Board of Education during this July public meeting,” and said Bassin would be relocating. The board offered thanks for his service. “It has been an honor to serve this community,” the statement concluded. The motion to accept the resignation passed unanimously, 8–0.

Why it matters: the resignation creates a Region 3 seat the board must fill by appointment under its policies, and the board set a timeline to consider candidates in a public meeting this summer. Dr. Daniel J. Powell, the district superintendent, was authorized to place an advertisement seeking candidates and to conduct interviews so the board could act at its regular meeting on Aug. 13, 2025; that motion also passed 8–0.

After accepting the resignation and authorizing the vacancy process, the board voted to appoint Mark Powell as vice president. The appointment passed 5–3 on a roll-call vote: Bracey — no; Foda — no; Jennings — yes; Maros — yes; McLean — yes; Mark Powell — yes; Walsh — no; Wolf — yes. The motion installs Powell as vice president through the Dec. 4 reorganization meeting.

Discussion and next steps: Mr. Jennings read Bassin’s full written remarks and board members offered brief comments of thanks. The superintendent will place the advertisement and conduct interviews; the board scheduled action on a replacement at the Aug. 13 regular meeting. No additional discussion or conditions were recorded regarding the appointment of the vice president.

Board actions recorded: acceptance of resignation (motion passed, 8–0); authorization for superintendent to advertise and interview candidates for Region 3 (motion passed, 8–0); appointment of Mark Powell as vice president through Dec. 4, 2025 (motion passed, 5–3).