The Allegheny Valley School Board made it official Monday and hired Patrick M. Graczyk as the district's new superintendent.
The district had introduced Graczyk at a community meeting last week as a finalist for replacing retiring Superintendent Cheryl Griffith.
He is coming to Allegheny Valley from Highlands, where he most recently served as assistant to the superintendent.
The Allegheny Valley board voted unanimously to hire Graczyk, effective Aug. 1. He will be paid $125,000 in the first year of a four-year contract.
Graczyk said he was honored to be chosen, and is looking forward to working with the school board and the community.
“I couldn't be more proud,” said Graczyk, 43, of Buffalo Township. “I'm excited to get started on the job.”
Graczyk received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Clarion University. He earned a master's in curriculum and instruction from the University of Pittsburgh, where he also received principal and supervisor of curriculum and instruction certifications.
He received a superintendent's certification from Gannon University, and has been accepted into Pitt's School of Education doctoral program beginning this summer.
A 1990 Highlands graduate, Graczyk began his education career at Highlands in 1996 as a middle school social studies teacher. He was principal of Grandview Elementary before moving to district administration.
Allegheny Valley board President Larry Pollick said the board was pleased with the quality of applicants for the job and the decision of who to hire was a difficult one.
“I believe that we have found a candidate that best fits the needs of the district. Mr. Graczyk's professionalism and experience will allow him to bring a vision to Allegheny Valley for the continued success of our school district,” Pollick said. “We are lucky to have him and wish him only the best.”
Griffith said she will work with Graczyk through July to assure a smooth transition. Her last day in the district will be July 31.
More personnel changes
The school board Monday hired a special education supervisor and two teachers.
Melissa Holler was hired as special education supervisor at an annual salary of about $67,600. She will take over duties for which the district has been contracting with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for two years, Griffith said.
Holler is coming from New Story, a private school in Monroeville for children with autism.
The board hired Kelly Slomka, currently a paraprofessional in the district, as an elementary teacher to replace Lynn Dedousis, who is retiring.
A third-grade teacher, Dedousis has 39 years in education, the past 11 at Allegheny Valley, Griffith said. Lauren Whitehead was hired as an art teacher to replace Chelsey Rosselle.
Slomka and Whitehead will both start at salaries of just over $40,000 for the 2015-16 school year.
No tax increase
Property taxes will not increase for next school year.
The school board Monday approved the district's $20.9 million budget, which leaves the property tax rate at 20.3494 mills.
A state inflation index allowed the district to increase its property tax millage by up to 1.9 percent. The board had increased taxes by 2 percent, or 0.4-mill, for the school year that just ended.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4701 or brittmeyer@tribweb.com.
