Armstrong superintendent has deep roots in school district

July has been a homecoming for Armstrong School District Superintendent Chris DeVivo.

“I was born and raised in Armstrong County and the Armstrong School District. I was eager to come back,” DeVivo said. “It's the people in this area that drew me back. This place is full of down-to-earth, good people living in a great place to raise a family.”

The Armstrong School Board unanimously hired DeVivo, 47, in May. He lives in Kittanning Township with his wife, Brenda, and has three adult children — Brianna, Jenna and Tony.

DeVivo, who is the former superintendent of the Freeport Area School District, started work on July 1. Superintendent Stan Chapp, who did not renew his contract in March, will work with DeVivo until Aug. 15. DeVivo will make $164,000 annually.

“The opportunity to take a leadership role in my home district was one I couldn't pass up. It's a great opportunity,” DeVivo said. “I've been getting to know everyone and will be meeting with each member of the school board to discuss where we are as a district.”

Board member Paul Lobby believes DeVivo is the right person to be steering the district as it heads into a new era of a combined junior-senior high school serving Kittanning and Ford City students.

“He knows this area and our schools,” Lobby said. “Someone who has such a long history here has a vested interest in this district's success, which is why I think he's going to be such a great fit.”

DeVivo grew up in Rural Valley and was a graduate of Shannock Valley High School. He said his time as a student there is what inspired him to move into a career in education.

“The thought of having a positive impact on the lives of kids always made education attractive to me,” he said. “My teachers always had such a great impact on me as I grew up, so I knew this was what I wanted to do from a very early age.”

He went onto California University of Pennsylvania to pursue a degree in elementary education. After three years at the school, he transferred to Salisbury State University in Maryland to coach running backs and the defensive line for the school's football team, while earning his undergraduate degree.

Once he graduated, he taught fifth grade in Wicomico County Public School system for a year, before becoming a teacher in the St. Mary's School District, where he also served as a technology prep coordinator and the dean of students.

DeVivo earned a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Penn State University, and his principal certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Before taking the position at Freeport, DeVivo worked in the Armstrong School District for nine years. He started as an assistant principal at Dayton Elementary, then was the first principal of West Shamokin High School.

He also served as human resources director and as interim superintendent before the district hired Chapp. Before going to Freeport, he spent two years as the superintendent of the Marion Center School District in Indiana County.

DeVivo said he believes the district made a sound fiscal decision by consolidating students at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School, which opens in Manor in the fall.

“In these economic times, we have to make decisions based on the best interest of students, while realizing our fiscal situation,” DeVivo said. “We cut some costs by combining into the new school, but now we've got pressing matters on the eastern part of this district to help those schools remain viable.”

DeVivo said several schools, including Shannock Valley, Dayton and Elderton elementary schools, may need some upgrades in the next several years.

As the first day of school approaches, DeVivo said he plans to visit and get to know each school, its teachers and administrators.

“It's exciting getting to meet everyone and see how the district has changed,” DeVivo said. “Everyone has been so welcoming. I'm looking forward to leading the district into the future.”

Brad Pedersen is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-543-1303, ext. 1337, or bpedersen@tribweb.com.