Center Area School Superintendent Dan Matsook has spent much of the past three years crafting a ground-breaking merger between his district and neighboring Monaca.

But is he destined to leave office the day before the two districts become one?

That question arose Friday when a memo informed Center school board members that the agenda for tonight's meeting would include an item "to notify the Superintendent ... of the Board's intent not to reappoint him and that another or other candidates will be considered for the office."

Dr. Matsook's contract has another year to go. If indeed he is not renewed, and if he stays until the end of his contract, his last day would be June 30 of next year -- the day before the July 1 target date for official consolidation.

Board members, however, said their intent is not nearly as clear-cut as the memo made it sound.

Vice President Robert Martini said Dr. Matsook's contract requires that the board let him know his status a year before it expires. If the board does not act now, the contract will automatically renew for another five years.

A written statement provided by Mr. Martini said that "the District is presently considering many significant matters related to the merger with Monaca, which involves complex issues related to school government and operations, and it is too early at this point for the District's Board to make a decision regarding whether to retain Dr. Matsook for another five years. ..."

The statement goes on to say that a contract may be offered later as the board works through merger-related issues.

Mr. Martini said the issue sort of sneaked up on the board, which has been distracted by the often-rancorous consolidation talks.

Board member Rob Gradisek, however, wondered if it was really that simple. He said the board could extend Dr. Matsook's contract for less than five years, or waive the 12-month notification.

"If they're willing to keep him on, then let's get together," Mr. Gradisek said. "We could probably do it in 10 minutes."

Dr. Matsook said he wants to stay and shepherd the consolidation into reality, and that he has not met with the board to discuss his contract. He declined further comment.

Mr. Gradisek, a member of the board's personnel committee, said he has not been part of any board discussion on Dr. Matsook's status.

The issue, however, was apparently discussed last Thursday in a brief, closed-door session by the five board members present. Dr. Matsook was reportedly asked to leave the room during that discussion.

The contract issue is ticklish partly because of the prickly relationship between Dr. Matsook and a five-member majority of the board.

The majority group, which emerged to take control of the board after last year's elections, clashed repeatedly with Dr. Matsook over consolidation, and complained of feeling pressured by him on the issue. Members also said publicly that they did not trust information he gave them, concerned that he was driven by a pro-consolidation agenda.

Majority group members have also said that they might rather have Monaca Superintendent Mike Thomas run the merged district.

Dr. Thomas recently signed a new five-year contract, but has repeatedly said his intent is to retire once consolidation is complete, with Dr. Matsook taking the new district's reins.

The majority group also may be losing its grip on the Center Area board. Gregg Paladina, who has been working as a unit with Mr. Martini, board President Richard "Bucky" Nicastro, Ben Fratangeli and Tom Dawson, said Monday that he will resign from the board soon, perhaps as early as tonight. He is moving out of the district to take a new job, and said that if he attends tonight's meeting he would abstain from any discussion or vote on Dr. Matsook's position.

Mr. Paladina's departure would leave the board with a 4-4 split on consolidation issues if board members John McCracken and Verna Sisk side with pro-merger members Mr. Gradisek and Charlene Kosmal. Neither Mr. McCracken nor Ms. Sisk has taken a public position on the issue.