Penn Hills School Board appoints new superintendent

The Penn Hills School Board hired a new superintendent Nov. 8.

John Mozzocio was appointed, 8-1, at a special voting meeting. Board member Devon Goetze was the lone no vote.

“I have thought about this pretty well,” Goetze said. “I intend to 100% support Mr. Mozzocio, but my vote is with Dawn (Golden).”

Golden has been serving as interim superintendent since September after Nancy Hines announced her retirement in August.

With more than 20 years of public education experience, Mozzocio comes from the New Castle School District where he was the director of pupil services.

He also has experience as a special education teacher, a math and reading coach, an alternative education principal, special education director and a central office director.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Clarion University, a master’s degree from Slippery Rock University, and a certificate of superintendent and a doctorate in educational leadership from Youngstown State University.

Mozzocio will start with Penn Hills in January at a salary of $178,000.

Mozzocio went through a two-step process to become the new superintendent.

The process included a “question and scenario” interview where he was presented with a situation and had to come up with solutions. The next step included touring each building in the district, meeting with community members, teachers, support staff and administrators.

“I plan to hit the ground running and the main objectives will be improving the culture for the students and staff to ensure a safe and welcoming environment, and increase student achievement by demonstrating growth by a student-centered approach,” Mozzocio said. “Lastly, I want to enhance public relations to showcase the great things happening in the district.”

He plans to set up meetings with teachers, staff members, local organizations and local government officials. He wants to assess the overall district to see what parts of the curriculum and culture need to be enhanced.

“I know this is a rich and proud community,” Mozzocio said. “I want to bring back students that may have gone to cyber or charter schools that still live in the Penn Hills community. Another main push will be to raise academic achievement based on individual students’ growth.

“Lastly, we will celebrate all of the good things that are happening inside the walls of Penn Hills schools with the community, and the whole Pittsburgh region.”