Norwin has a new assistant superintendent and a new structure for its top administrative positions.
The changes approved Monday are expected to save the school district about $52,000.
The school board approved Lisa N. Duval, 52, the former director of human resources and accountability, as the new assistant superintendent at a salary of $149,000, effective Tuesday. Duval, who earned about $136,300 in her role during the 2023-24 school year, was granted a five-year contract that expires June 30, 2029.
“It is my hope to continue the trajectory of excellence already established at Norwin and to work closely with (Superintendent) Dr. (Natalie) McCracken to assist in fulfilling her mission and vision for the district,’” Duval said.
McCracken, who was hired as superintendent last month, said after the brief special meeting that she recommended Duval for the position based on her experience at South Allegheny. She was that district’s superintendent from 2018-22 and principal at the high school and middle school. Before becoming an administrator, Duval said, she was a middle school social studies and English language arts teacher.
“She’s a highly qualified administrator. She has brought a lot of value to our administrative team, and we know she will be successful in this role,” said McCracken, who was the assistant superintendent under former superintendent Jeff Taylor, whose resignation took effect June 30.
Duval will oversee the directors of special education and student services, as well as the directors of secondary education and elementary education. She will continue to oversee the district’s human resources office in addition to her assistant superintendent duties, McCracken said.
The restructuring will allow the district to save $52,400. McCracken was to receive a salary of $172,230 as assistant superintendent under a five-year contract approved in March.
Heather Newell, who had been director of curriculum and assessment, was approved as director of elementary education and curriculum. Newell, who previously was the principal at Sheridan Terrace Elementary School, will receive a salary of about $146,970. Her job as curriculum director is eliminated in the restructuring.
Rocco Telli, a former assistant high school principal, will be director of secondary education and assessment. He is to be paid $129,000 for the 2024-25 school year, an increase from his previous salary of $115,330.
The restructuring will allow the directors to focus on curriculum instruction, assessment and student achievement, McCracken said.
McCracken said she wants to fill Telli’s position of assistant high school principal and will begin a search for candidates, both internally and outside the district. McCracken said she hopes to have a candidate to recommend for the job when the school board meets in August.
Director Shawna Ilagan said she was pleased with the restructuring McCracken presented.
The restructuring gives Norwin one administrator for secondary education and one for elementary education. When McCracken was an assistant superintendent under former superintendent William Kerr, she was assistant superintendent for elementary education and Tim Kotch Sr., a current school board member, was assistant superintendent for secondary education.
Kotch’s position was eliminated when he retired, and McCracken was the only assistant superintendent under Taylor.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.