Greater Latrobe School Board has looked to a neighboring school system to find the district’s next superintendent.

The board voted Thursday to hire as its top administrator Kim Rieffannacht, currently assistant superintendent for elementary education at Hempfield Area School District.

Greater Latrobe approved a five-year contract with Rieffannacht, with an initial salary of $180,000. She’ll begin her new role July 1.

Rieffannacht, 39, is a Greater Latrobe resident, living in Unity.

“I’m excited to serve the community in which I live,” she said. “I’m excited for the path forward for Greater Latrobe School District. I’m exited to be part of the next chapter and to lead the way on that path.”

School board President Andrew Repko said Rieffannacht stood out from other candidates during the interview process. The selection process was guided by educational consultant Peter D’Arcangelo with input from a variety of district stakeholders.

“She’s a fresh face with fresh ideas,” he said. “She’s got a broad spectrum education-wise, from elementary to senior high.”

Repko has said he wants the new superintendent to be involved in long-range planning for the future of the district’s two secondary buildings and three elementary schools — while state officials project a continued decline in district enrollment.

Planning for building projects has been a lengthy, involved process at both Hempfield Area and Greater Latrobe. In each case, district officials are pursuing a new project for updating a secondary building after an initial plan was halted.

Greater Latrobe is slated to open bids for a proposed new junior high roof May 30. The bid opening was moved back one week to allow contractors more time to examine the school’s existing roof, according to school board member Tom Gockel.

Rieffannacht, who recently completed a stint as interim superintendent at Hempfield Area, said she is familiar with facility needs such as roofs and HVAC systems and also gained experience with the ongoing process involved in pursuing a high school building project at that district.

At Greater Latrobe, she said, “Some of the things we’re going to continue to talk about are some of the facility needs.”

In addition, she wants to “take the time to hear from different groups of people — from students to community members, faculty and staff — and gain an understanding of what makes Greater Latrobe tick.”

Rieffannacht had been set to earn a little more than $165,000 for next school year at Hempfield Area under a three-year extension of her contract there.

She has served as assistant superintendent since 2020. She has overseen five elementary schools, citing reading instruction as a major focus.

At Greater Latrobe, Rieffannacht is succeeding former superintendent Mike Porembka — who officially retired in February, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

Becki Pellis, assistant to the superintendent for elementary education, took on the additional responsibilities of interim Greater Latrobe superintendent in January.

Rieffannacht previously worked as an educator at Huntingdon Area School District near State College. Her roles there included elementary principal, federal programs director and director of education.

She began her career as a high school math teacher in the Harrisburg City School District and then served as educational record manager for the State College Area School District.

She earned a bachelor’s degree at Lock Haven University, a master’s degree at Wilkes University and a doctorate of education degree from Liberty University. She’s taught courses related to instructional technology and hybrid learning environments as an adjunct professor at Wilkes University and Wilson College.

She and her husband, Nelson, have three children, Judah, Ryker and Axel.

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