McKeesport hires new assistant to the superintendent

Dr. Amy Dellapenna was approved unanimously.

The McKeesport Area school board filled a vacancy Thursday night by hiring a new assistant to the superintendent.

The board unanimously approved Dr. Amy Dellapenna with a yearly salary of $144,000. The position was previously held by Matthew Mols, who is leaving to become superintendent for Ligonier Valley School District.

Superintendent Don Mac-Fann said Dellapenna is the right person for the position and he looks forward to seeing what she can do.

“We look for those who have high standards and expectations,” MacFann said. “And what that means is the belief that all kids can learn regular ed, special ed, and gifted ed. And in order to have that belief and actually make that belief functional, you got to have an understanding of the dynamics of curriculum. You have to have an understanding of the rate and pace of differences within instruction. And she possesses that in a very great way.”

Dellapenna has been in the district for 25 years and said she knows the local community well. Her previous position was director of curriculum and federal programs, and prior to that, she was a literacy coordinator and a teacher.

“I’m really dedicated to the teachers and to the students,” Dellapenna said, “and I’m just looking forward to upholding high standards for teaching and learning and just working with the families and the communities to make sure that every child gets the education they deserve.”

Dellapenna plans to focus on curriculum, instruction and supporting teaching and learning in the classroom.

The board also accepted Mols’ resignation, and Board President Mark Holtzman and Director David Donato commended him for his time with the district.

“I’m indebted to the board of directors for trusting in me,” Mols said. “I hope that I’ve made a positive difference in my time here. McKeesport means a lot to me. It’s my alma mater, and I’ve been blessed to have this opportunity.”

Mols previously held the position of assistant to the superintendent. MacFann explained that assistant superintendent is a commissioned position, while assistant to the superintendent is non-commissioned.

Other goodbyes

The board also said some early goodbyes and recognized board directors whose terms are soon coming to an end. Directors LaToya Wright, Josh Lefcowitz and former director state Rep. Dan Goughnour were all recognized for their service on the board.

With tears in her eyes, Wright promised that it wouldn’t be her last time in the board room.

State Rep. Dan Goughnour is recognized for his service on the McKeesport Area school board by board Vice President Diane Elias. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent

“I may not have always agreed with everyone up here, but I will say I leave here with peace in my heart and a lot of respect for what we do here,” Wright said, “because it’s not easy, and I leave here with a lot of respect for people who once we didn’t see eye to eye with but we gained a lot of respect for one another. So these tears are just tears that I hope my successors and the next group of people coming in, continue the fight.”

Wright added that she hopes that the community continues to show up for meetings, even when nothing

Board Vice President Diane Elias recognizes Director LaToya Wright for her service on the McKeesport Area school board. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent

negative is taking place in the district.

Goughnour, who was elected to replace the late state Rep. Matthew Gergely in the 35th Legislative District, also reflected on his time on the school board.

“It’s not easy to do what these folks do,” he said. “I found out first hand there’s a lot of tough decisions to be made. They come here, like Mr. Holtzman said, on a volunteer basis, and it’s not easy. And I want to thank the McKeesport Area School District folks for trusting me to put me in that seat. I hope we made the place a little bit better during my time.”

In other business, the board:

• Voted to hire two new police officers, Anthony Ricci and Shawn Barger, at a rate of $33.96 an hour.

• Approved a $10,000 salary adjustment for MacFann.