New leader at South Fayette Middle School a familiar face
South Fayette Middle School Assistant Principal Kristin Deichler, who played a key role in the school receiving an elite state-level distinction this year, was promoted to middle school principal.
The school board approved Deichler's promotion earlier this month with an annual salary of $92,000.
She takes over for David Deramo, who is the district's new assistant superintendent.
Deramo replaces Michael Loughead, who is leaving to become the superintendent for Hampton Township School District.
They begin their new jobs July 1.
South Fayette was one of only five schools to earn the Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools' designation as a School to Watch this past school year.
Deichler joined South Fayette School District in 2001 as a day-to-day substitute teacher, then became the middle school's sixth-grade science teacher for three years.
She then became the school's sixth-grade math teacher until this past year when she was promoted to assistant principal.
“I loved my position in the classroom and teaching middle school students,” Deichler said.
She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University and master's in administration.
She received K-12 principal certification from California University of Pennsylvania.
She was named Pennsylvania's Outstanding Young Educator of the Year in 2008.
“We believe that Ms. Deichler's transition will be seamless since she has such a rich district history and experience as our assistant principal,” Superintendent Bille Rondinelli said.
South Fayette Middle School consists of grades six through eight and has a projected enrollment of 788 for the 2016-17 school year.
Deramo had been the middle school principal since 2011.
He came to South Fayette in October 2009 as the intermediate school principal.
Prior to that, he held positions as principal and teacher in the West Mifflin Area School District.
“I look forward to a continuation of working together with the staff and community in the best interest of our students,” Deramo said.
Jim Spezialetti is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-388-5805 or jspezialetti@tribweb.com.
