Plum School District officials have hired a virtual learning director to help lead their online learning efforts during the covid-19 pandemic.

Preston Hartman, an assistant principal at Seton-La Salle High School, was unanimously appointed to the position July 16.

Superintendent Brendan Hyland said Hartman was selected out of 22 candidates to help develop and implement Plum’s Digital Learning Academy as well as work with online instructors to ensure quality of instruction and adherence to policies and procedures.

“We want the kids in Plum to stay connected to our schools because we think we have a lot to offer,” Hyland said. “Having someone like Mr. Hartman, who is extremely capable, joining the district is an essential first step. He has a big task ahead of him, but he is ready to take it on.

”The district is making a commitment to the vision that virtual education is a form of learning that is here to stay,” Hyland said. “We want to embrace that challenge of building an excellent cyber program from the ground up. We are confident we can do it, and do it well if we fully commit to doing so.

“By developing our own cyber option for students, we are hoping to give our current students and teachers more choices even after the covid-19 crisis is over.

“We also want to bring back those students who go to the cyber charter schools because we, along with so many other public schools, have lost millions of dollars over the years to cyber charters.”

Hartman was the lead administrator for the eSchool Distance Learning Program at Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Annapolis, Md., before coming to the Pittsburgh area.

The program was created in 2015 to supplement an evening high school program. More than 300 students graduated through that distance learning program.

Hartman has nine years experience in the middle and high school levels as a teacher, department chairman and assistant principal within Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

He was awarded the Maryland History Day Teacher of the Year in 2015 and 2018.

Hartman told Plum officials he’s ready to build on the district’s digital foundation.

“Education is an investment, and Plum Borough School District has established itself as a quality educational system that is committed to serving the community,” Hartman said. “By expanding on the traditional learning experience when we embrace new technology and innovations, we are making an investment in our students.

“Seeing that Plum has already committed to these new 21st century approaches to learning, I am excited to help build and expand the virtual learning program so that all of our students and families have equitable opportunities for success.”

District officials also voted Thursday to approve their reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year.

Plans include having students return to the buildings as well as options for parents who wish to continue their children’s studies online.

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