Cory Sakolsky will take up the principal role at Plum’s O’Block Elementary in the midst of a vast construction wave that will see much of the building transformed in the coming months.

Sakolsky currently serves as assistant principal at Shaler Area Elementary School, which is set to close after next school year as part of the district’s reconfiguration plan.

Prior to his work in Shaler Area, he worked as dean of students at Highlands Middle School and as a teacher in Butler Area School District.

Sakolsky holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Youngstown State University as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the same field from California University of Pennsylvania — now part of Penn West University.

He’s set to start at O’Block on July 1, replacing Maria Fajt, who had served as principal since 2018.

Fajt resigned from the district last month for the principal post at Stanwood Elementary School in the Hempfield School District.

Plum Assistant Superintendent Matthew Thomas said the district was impressed by Sakolsky’s “data-driven” background and his previous work in student support programs.

Emerging from a field of 19 applicants, Sakolsky will come to O’Block as the school continues its large-scale alterations.

Renovations at the school began late last year, and its addition is set to be complete by the end of summer.

O’Block will see a reorganized floor plan with new classroom wings, new special education classrooms, dedicated sensory spaces, dedicated space for music and band, and updated interior finishes throughout the building, among other improvements.

On the outside, O’Block will get a new front entrance canopy, a new roof, a new ADA-compliant playground and play area, a parent drop-off loop and several other updates.

Next school year, students will partially move into the new space so crews can begin renovations on existing areas of O’Block.

Work in existing portions of the school and exterior redesigns are set to be complete by the end of summer 2027.

The transformation is part of a $30 million project that also includes renovations at Plum Middle School.

Thomas said Sakolsky will prove an intergral part of guiding students through the transition.

Sakolsky’s annual salary was set at $120,000.

His hiring is the latest administrative shift at Plum.

Last summer, the district promoted Stephan Sereda as Plum High School principal and Ashley DeVito as principal of Holiday Park Intermediate School.

To fill their roles, Plum hired Colleen Pegher as assistant principal at Plum High School and Rachel Lintelman as assistant principal at Plum Middle School.

Plum also recently promoted Ashley Boyers from assistant superintendent to deputy superintendent.