Quaker Valley grad Glen Sovich was recently hired to protect and serve students and staff at his alma mater.
School board members unanimously voted Feb. 10 to hire the retired Ambridge police sergeant.
His acquisition restores the district police department to four full-time officers — one in every school.
Sovich, 51, grew up in Leetsdale and played football for the Quakers in the district’s youth program and all through high school. He graduated in 1992.
“I’m super excited about it,” said Sovich, who now lives in Leet. “I’ve always been involved with the community. Being able to attach the Quaker Valley police badge and patch to that type of service is something that I think is great for the kids. It excites me to be able to do it.”
He will be stationed at the middle school filling in for David Watts, who was named police chief to start the year.
Watts was promoted to top school cop following the resignation of Chief Aaron Vanatta, who resigned this month to take a similar role at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in Pittsburgh.
Vanatta was also rehired by Quaker Valley in early January to serve as a part-time officer at $70 per hour at six hours per week.
Sovich was selected out of four candidates.
Assistant superintendent Andrew Surloff said his experience in law enforcement and with another school district, combined with Quaker Valley community engagement and an exceptional interview, made Sovich stand out from the others.
Board member Gianno Floro said the district is blessed to have an alum as an officer.
“He’s got big shoes to fill,” Floro said. “I couldn’t recommend a better person.”
Sovich’s law enforcement journey began following a talk with a high school counselor while considering careers.
“When I was a junior at Quaker Valley, they called me in to the guidance office and said, ‘What do you want to do with your life?’” Sovich said. “I thought I was going to play for the (Pittsburgh) Steelers. They said, ‘Well (what) if that doesn’t work out?’
“I only knew a handful of jobs. I wasn’t super mature. I said, ‘police officer.’ They put me on that path and it’s been an amazing adventure for me and really rewarding.”
Sovich worked his way up the ladder at the Ambridge Police Department from 1997 through September 2024, reaching the rank of sergeant.
He also spend about 12 years during that time as a resource officer at the Ambridge Area School District.
Sovich was given the Sgt. Guy “Tippy” Tyler Award last year through the Beaver County Chiefs of Police Association, an honor given for exemplary efforts in juvenile justice and enforcement education.
Sovich also serves as a youth basketball coach at the Sewickley Valley YMCA and football coach with Quaker Valley Youth Football and Cheer.
The father of three has one adult daughter, Mara, and two young ones still in Quaker Valley schools. His daughter, Claire, is in seventh grade and son Jack is in second.
Claire said she was sad to see Officer Watts be moved, but was happy about having her dad patrol the halls.
“I was so excited (to hear about dad’s new job),” Claire said. “I was also a little nervous because he’s going to make fun of me somehow because that’s what fathers do.”
Sovich, an avid chess player, said he looks forward to building relationships and mentoring at the middle school. His starting salary is $63,550.