New West Jefferson Hills superintendent to lead alma mater

You really can go home again.

Janet Sardon sat in the library at Thomas Jefferson High School on a recent Friday morning. She recalled her days as a student in the district.

“I can remember that time of my life walking into (then) Pleasant Hills Elementary and my days in the high school, especially playing in the band,” said Sardon. “I had some amazing experiences there and had many inspirational teachers.”

Sardon is once again walking the halls in that same district — this time as superintendent. She was unanimously hired by the West Jefferson Hills Board of School Directors for a five-year term. She replaces Michael Ghilani, whose contract expires June 30 and was not renewed.

“As an educational leader, I’m passionate about giving back to a district that has given me so much from childhood through adulthood,” said Sardon, 50, who brings nearly 30 years of public education experience and will make $180,000 annually. “My goals and ambitions are to continue the tradition of excellence in providing superior educational opportunities for students, while preparing them to reach their dreams, goals and fullest potential, in whatever path their future may hold.”

She officially starts on Aug. 8.

But she’s been at school getting reacquainted with her surroundings and exploring the new $95 million, 300,000-square-foot high school that opened in 2019.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sardon home,” said Kimberley Finnerty, president of the school board, in a statement. “The board believes she possesses the characteristics and varied experiences that will enable her to be a strong, progressive leader for our students, staff and community.”

Finnerty said the board engaged district and community groups who provided input about the traits and skills for the next superintendent. Sardon was selected because her lifelong focus on student achievement aligns with the district’s core values and the feedback that was received, Finnerty said.

Sardon said her number one focus is student safety.

When asked about the topic of school shootings, Sardon said she is dedicated to following district protocols and making sure staff and students are prepared for any situation. It is vital to have buildings secured and lockdown procedures in place, she said.

Sardon plans to collaborate with local law enforcement, community officials and emergency personnel.

The district does A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) drills at each school, in addition to fire and severe weather drills. There is a school police officer at four locations and a school resource officer at the fifth school.

Sardon said it is also essential to make students’ mental health a priority and to know the culture of the school.

And it’s important to always be transparent. She said her door will always be open for everyone. Sardon wants the students to know it is OK to come to the principal’s office or the superintendent’s office. It provides access to conversations.

Sardon said students have been through so much in the past two years because of the pandemic. Distance learning has kept them physically away from their friends.

“It is tough for kids when they aren’t in school,” Sardon said. “It is tough academically and mentally and emotionally.”

Sardon said being in her home district has brought back so many good memories — her days in the band, especially.

She played the clarinet, oboe and mellophone under band director Ray DeFade Sr. The teacher who inspired Sardon to go into education is Mrs. Sue Startari, who was Sardon’s homeroom teacher.

“This district is a special place,” said Sardon, who had served as the superintendent of the Yough School District since 2011. There, she helped create the Yough Helpful Hands Committee, a team comprised of administration and community members that hosted a spaghetti dinner for senior citizens and delivered Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

Sardon was also superintendent of the West Mifflin School District for nearly two years prior to that, as well as assistant superintendent. Sardon began her career as a special education teacher in the South Allegheny School District, later serving as the district’s middle school dean of students, middle school principal and high school principal for four years.

She worked at the McKeesport Area School District as director of information services and technology integration.

Sardon received the University of Pittsburgh’s Distinguished Pre K-12 Educator Award in 2021. She serves as chairman of the Westmoreland County Health Consortium and is a board member of the Pennsylvania Association of Small and Rural Schools. In 2018, she received the Dr. Jean Winsand Distinguished Women in Education Award. Sardon was an adjunct faculty member in the Robert Morris University Education Department for two years.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. She earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a secondary principal certificate and superintendent letter of eligibility.

She resides in Jefferson Hills Borough with her husband, Robert. Their daughter, Arionna, 27, attended Gill Hall Elementary School, Pleasant Hills Middle School and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School.

Sardon said there is a strong network of superintendents who share ideas and attend professional development workshops. The Allegheny Intermediate Unit hosts gatherings of superintendents. She said it is important for young women to see females in leadership positions. She always told her daughter that she can be whatever she wants to be. Sardon learned that from having supportive parents, she said.

Sardon will be leading 3,249 students and 370 staff members.

West Jefferson Hills School District, which includes Jefferson Hills, West Elizabeth and Pleasant Hills, is the second-highest growing district in Allegheny County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Sardon said.

“I wanted to be here throughout the summer so I will be ready for when the students arrive on the first day of school,” said Sardon, who attended a recent community day event to introduce herself. “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher. The teachers I had created wonderful relationships with the students, and I want to continue that connection. It’s all about making the education experience better for the students.”

Sardon said her philosophy is to be visible.

“It is important not only to be in school, but to also attend sporting events and concerts and plays and PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) meetings as well as community happenings. That’s how you get to know people. It’s important to continually be learning,” she said as she looked around the library full of books just waiting to be read.