North Allegheny taps Plum principal to fill NAI principal's post

The North Allegheny School Board has moved some administrators into new positions to start the 2023-24 school year and on Aug. 9 selected another Plum School District educator to join NA’s top staff.

The North Allegheny School Board unanimously approved hiring Heather Hibner, principal at Plum Senior High School, to become principal of North Allegheny Intermediate High School.

Hibner follows the arrival of Brendan Hyland, the former Plum School District superintendent, who was hired as superintendent at North Allegheny in June.

“Along with the rest of the board, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Hibner,” said school board president Libby Blackburn. “I was impressed with her character, her educational background, and the vision she articulated for North Allegheny Intermediate High School. I am confident she will be a mover and shaker that will facilitate an environment that will bring out the best in our faculty, staff, and students.”

Hibner’s annual salary will be $139,700. Her start date is pending her release from the Plum School District.

Hibner takes over from Caitlin Ewing, who had been NAI principal and now becomes principal of Carson Middle School, filling the vacancy left by Katherine Krivak, who was named NA’s coordinator of professional development and learning July 1.

Nancy Bowman, who continues as North Allegheny’s coordinator of curriculum and instruction for grades six to 12, will serve as acting principal at NAI until Hibner is released by Plum.

Hibner has 18 years of service in public education, according to the Plum School District. She began her teaching career after earning academic distinction from Bethany College with a degree in English Education. Hibner previously taught in the South Allegheny and the Elizabeth Forward school districts.

Hibner moved into administration after earning a master’s of education in leadership and administration from California University of Pennsylvania in 2013, and her doctorate in leadership and administration from Point Park University in 2020. She was high school assistant principal in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District for three years. She was assistant principal for six years at Elizabeth Forward.

The North Allegheny School District has about 8,420 students, a $193-plus million budget for the 2023-24 school year and employs more than 1,200 people. It has seven elementary schools, three middle schools, an intermediate school and a senior high school.