Amy Burch's first task as Brentwood's new superintendent will be to find her own replacement.
Burch, 40, of Brentwood, a principal at Elroy Elementary for the last six years, was hired by Brentwood Borough School Board members in a unanimous vote on Tuesday to serve as the district's next superintendent. She received a five-year contract with a starting salary of $116,000 and will begin on July 1.
“After a long search, she just proved to be the best qualified,” board President Robert Kircher said. “She had the advantage of knowing our district. She was young and enthusiastic.”
Burch will replace eight-year Brentwood Superintendent Ronald Dufalla, who is set to retire June 30, after 38 years in education. He worked at nearly every level in the Brentwood school system during his 37 years with the district.
Burch, who joined the district in the 2008-09 school year as the Elroy principal already has started the transition into her new job. She interned under Dufalla as part of her doctorate degree program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she is set to graduate in August with her doctorate in administration and leadership. During her internship, Burch worked with Dufalla on everything from Brentwood's budget to scheduling, human relations and curriculum.
She moved to Atlanta where she taught in the public school system for two years before returning to Franklin Regional to teach fourth grade at Sloan Elementary. After receiving her principal's certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Burch served as the principal at Carnegie Elementary in the Carylnton School District before coming to Brentwood in the 2008-09 school year to serve as Elroy's principal. The Murrysville native and 1992 Franklin Regional graduate received her a master's in the art of teaching from the University of Pittsburgh's school of education in 1997.
As a new hire in the Brentwood school district six years ago, Burch bought a house and her daughter, Renee, began attending fourth grade in the Brentwood school district.
“When we came here, I just felt at home,” Burch said. “Ever since then, this has been our community.”
Burch wanted to stay in Brentwood.
“I just believe in us as a district. I believe in my teachers and I knew I wanted to take that to the next level and the next level here in Brentwood is superintendency,” she said. “I can retire from here, just like Dr. Dufalla did. I'll stay as long as they'll have me.”
Her focus as superintendent will be the budget, where each of the past several years the district has faced a deficit, as well as improving technology and community relations.
About 30 people applied for the superintendent job. Brentwood hired the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to conduct a search and school board members whittled down the search from 14 resumes they received from the AIU.
The decision was difficult, board secretary Donna Werner said. Burch stood out for many reasons.
“Amy has that bubbly personality that does make her stand out,” Werner said. “Her light was shining. She was bright.”
Stephanie Hacke is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-388-5818 or shacke@tribweb.com.
