Highlands bids farewell to retiring staff, makes new hires

Highlands School District said goodbye to a dozen retirees Monday and welcomed a few to new positions.

At the school board’s meeting, Superintendent Monique Mawhinney recognized the employees. They include teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers and others, some of whom had been with the district since the early 1990s.

Mawhinney thanked them all for their years of service and their care and dedication to students.

The recognized retirees were:

• Jody Shumaker, second grade teacher, Highlands Elementary, hired as a paraprofessional in October 1990 and then as a teacher in August 2002. Shumaker’s retirement is effective June 3.

• Randy Ryback, reading specialist, Highlands Early Childhood Center, hired August 1991.

• Jeannine Vivino, seventh grade language arts teacher, Highlands Middle School, hired August 1993.

• Diane Dale, secretary, student services department, hired August 1993.

• Shelly Mort, school nurse, Highlands High School, hired August 1996.

• Marianne Zimmerly, eighth grade language arts teacher, middle school, hired August 2002.

• Jeannie Kraynik, paraprofessional, middle school, hired March 2004.

• Colette Znosko, paraprofessional, middle school, hired September 2004.

• Sharyn Crain, paraprofessional, elementary school, hired September 2005.

• Rebecca Harvey, art teacher, elementary school, hired August 2006. The board approved Harvey’s retirement effective June 3.

• Jim Pritchard, food services director, hired September 2016. The board approved amending Pritchard’s retirement date from Aug. 6 to Aug. 13.

• Carol Mass, food services cook, elementary school, hired January 2017.

The board also approved five resignations:

• Sara Vieira, high school English teacher, effective June 4.

• Rebecca Bragan, middle school assistant principal, effective June 30.

• Jason Palazzi, accounts payable and workers compensation coordinator, effective June 25.

• Micalla Mikus, school psychologist, effective Aug. 13

• Jenna Plummer, girls varsity soccer coach, effective June 30.

New hires, promotion

The board approved the hiring of a high school co-principal, the promotion of an administrator and the hiring of an interim principal.

The board hired Laura Burns as high school co-principal with a salary of $105,000. Her start date is to be determined.

Burns, who is coming to Highlands from Ambridge, replaces Charlie Mort.

“I can’t wait to get to work, and hopefully it will be sooner rather than later,” Burns said.

At the middle school, Michael Toole was promoted from dean of students to assistant middle school principal effective July 1. His annual salary will be $75,000.

Toole said he’s excited to take the next step in his career at Highlands. He replaces Bragan.

At the Early Childhood Center, Jo Welter was hired as interim principal for the 2021-22 school year. Beginning Aug. 23, Welter will work three days per week at a daily rate of $500.

Mawhinney said Welter, a recently retired administrator and former colleague of hers from Hampton Township School District, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills to help the Early Childhood Center and its staff.

Having Welter in the position for the next school year will allow Cathy Russo to return to her role as district curriculum director. Russo has been the school’s acting principal.

Mawhinney said Russo has not had a full year to devote to her duties as curriculum director since being put in that position.

“We have a lot of work to continue to do in that area,” Mawhinney said.

The board also approved one-year contract renewals for district police officers Jeffrey Sheldon and Joseph Naviglia.