Carlynton searching for new superintendent

The search for the next superintendent for the Carlynton School District is in full swing.

The position was posted on the district’s website earlier this month, with applications being accepted until the end of August.

The school board last month approved Diane Kirk, director of the Tri State Area School Study Council, to conduct the stakeholder consultation portion of the superintendent search. The district will pay $850 for the consultation work.

Carlynton board president Jim Schriver said Kirk will interview teachers, administrators and community members to learn what qualities they would like the new superintendent to have, as well as what they like in the district and what changes should be made.

Those interviews are currently taking place. The information gathered will be used during the selection process.

The Tri State Area School Study Council, based at the University of Pittsburgh, provides technical assistance, strategic planning and employment searches to school districts in the region.

“They helped the district in the past and helped us in hiring Dr. (Gary) Peiffer,” Schriver said.

Peiffer, who was the Carlynton superintendent for six years, left the district in July 2018 to take the same position in the Greensburg Salem School District.

The board approved Joseph Dimperio as acting superintendent in September 2018. It is Dimperio’s third time serving as an interim or acting superintendent for Carlynton. His previous time was prior to Peiffer’s hiring.

Last month, the board received permission from the Department of Education to extend Dimperio’s contract for another year, or until a new superintendent is in place.

Schriver said he expects the interview process to begin in late September or October.