posted by Joe Polk at 10:59 AM /
The school board hired Ronald Davis, principal of Gateway Regional School District, as the new principal of Mt. Lebanon High School on Monday. Dr. Davis replaced Zeb Jansante, who left Mt. Lebanon this year to become principal of Bethel Park High School.
Dr. Davis, 36, is a native of McKees Rocks, but has spent his educational career outside of the area. He said he initially worked in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as a social studies teacher, athletic director and baseball coach. Seven years ago, he moved to Gateway Regional, a 7-12 school, where he spent two years as assistant principal before becoming principal. He served as principal for five years. The school serves about 1,100 students.
"We are a little bit smaller in size, but when you look at the traditions of the district, the academic mission, the interest in having kids be proud of their school, the friendly culture, there are a lot of similarities," Dr. Davis said.
One of the biggest challenges Dr. Davis will face in Mt. Lebanon is the planning and construction of either a new or renovated high school. He said he was up to the task and had experience since Gateway Regional recently finished a $15.2 million renovation and building project.
Dr. Davis holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Slippery Rock University and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. He said he was engaged to be married and planned to move to Scott.
Labels: high school, school board, school district
18 Comments:
How does this action square with the school boards contention that it is not renewing Associate Superintendent Pulkowski's contract because the baord wants the new superintendent to have flexability in hiring his/her staff?
Joe - Good point. Of course it doesn't square with the board's assertion. I suspect the board wants to eliminate all the people who came in with Marge. Which brings up another point... it seems to me that the longer the board delays hiring a consultant to search "nationally" for a new Superintendent, the more likely the board will just promote from within, so they can maintain the status quo. Anonymous Mom of 3
Anonymous mom of three, you are so right. That is wexactly what they did with Dr. Wilson. Despite what has gone on in the district, and the behavior of the board, our schools still have an excellent reputation and it is hard to believe that we cannot attract an outstanding candidate. I have suggested to the board that they contact Mark Roosevelt in the city to see if he has any recommendations, but as far as I know this suggestion has been ignored.
By the way, if you are the same "mom of three" who posted the comments about the behavior of students I agree with you completely. Keep after the administration and the board. Let them all know that they are being watched.
I little birdie tells me that maybe the next superintendent might be Dr Deborah Allen - what to you folks think!!?? I always see her with Dr Wilson... just a thought...
From what I heard from Marge Sable, the Top 25, USC incident, Teen assembly were some of the issues she wanted to deal with, as well as teacher issues. The Board and Administration, Union wanted none of it.
Didn't agree with Mark Hart totally on his response to Top 25, but now I believe he's probably more on trach than any other board or administration member.
If we hire from within this district is in trouble!!!!!!
A question... does anyone know or even think that the administration, or board looks at this blog. Not that the info. or views are valid, but it is a thought provoking dialogue. It would be nice to hear from a administrator or board member that... "we hear you."
Or better yet, just to say... "you're that interested in this topic... get involved, contact this group and start these steps!"
Great Scott! The new principal is moving to Scott?
Why..doesn't want to pay our Mt. Lebanon taxes?
Anonymous at 11:10 -
My gut tells me its Deb Allen too. I guess the board will tell us they searched far and wide and found the best candidate right under their noses!
I have such a dim view of administration right now - my thought is that if Deb Allen were a leader or had something spectacular to contribute, it surely would have broken through the mire and risen to the surface already.
Methinks it's all about politics.
...Anonymous Mom of 3 (as if anyone on the internet is anonymous)
Think Allen may be bad... wait till you see the candidates for school board!!
Dr. Allen was given a longer contract than Dr. Wilson "so there would be continuity" according to the board. I was told by one board member that she would be the next spuerintendent "over (his) dead body". We'll see. Don't know for sure if any of the board members or administrators read this blog regularly; I think that some do, but don't expect to see any comments from them. Remember that most of them think that the public is not entitled to information. Everyone should write the board and demand that they do a thorough search and not simply take the easy way out. We can do better!
Check out the new high school principal's credentials. Baseball coach? Slippery Rock?? Nova University??? Ohhh, this is very impressive! Nova is a mail-order diploma factory. What a joke, looking for the best.
Students who write a Top 25 list, are out-of-control at sporting events, disregard directions, exhibit absolute rudeness toward and contempt of nationally recognized speakers, pull fire alarms during SAT tests. The students are behaving like the old boy administrators and board who do whatever they want with no consequences. Is this the (in)famous Mt. Lebanon way???
When the students were acting up in the assembly..where were the faculty and administration? The inmates have taken over the asylum.
The new principal better get a handle on this before we have no reputation left. Cyber school use to seem so bizarre...now it is sounding better and better.
If the only information one had concerning the Mt. Lebanon school board was this forum, you would think that the board was made up of rapacious morons who held secret meetings in a cave, and determined the fate of the school district based on some nefarious plot. Every member of the board serves as a volunteer. They do not get paid or receive any compensation other than being able to take satisfaction that they are doing something for their community. The only thing they receive for their time and efforts,is carping and whining from a handfull of people who have yet to offer anything positive in this blog. Might I suggest that some of the people complaining about the status quo, should make the effort themselves to run for the school board. You would then learn very quickly whether anyone else agreed with you.
Anonymous 2:48 pm, was that the kind of positive comment that you criticize others for not making? How about including a couple of examples of when the school board has been open with the community. Marge Sable, teacher contract, Dr. Pulkowski, top 25 list? Just because this position is a volunteer one doesn't excuse the behavior of the members.
Anon 2:48 p.m.
I agree completely, the board members are in a thankless position, for the most part perform with the best intentions. Whether any of us agree with them or not does not reflect on their service.
I asked earlier (anon 12:49) if board members viewed this blog, while I've thought about running for the board (doubt I'd be elected) I do want to be involved. That was why I suggested that board members take a step to direct people how to make their voices heard if it is an issue in which they agree and need support. Madison makes a reference to Spartacus, he is right there is strength in numbers.
I say this, because board members appear to take a safe approach and veil their position. There is far too much secrecy in district operations, ala Sablegate. We're not talking about national security here, its about education. Why should anything be done in secrecy? Except of course "some" individual personnel matters. This blog allows people to run their thoughts by the community and see if anyone agrees.
Oh dear, anonymous poster at 2:48. I am certain that my fellow citizens get their information from a number of sources and not just this blog.
I for one am politically inept and would never want to run for school board. I commend our board members for taking on the thankless task, however we all recognize that holding a public position makes you responsible to the citizenry and exposes you to public questioning and criticism. Occupational hazard, I suppose.
I also know that some elected officials run for office out of selfless devotion to their community and others run with a specific agenda. Some are actually transparent about their agenda, which I find commendable.
I do believe our district is mired in a leadership crisis and it needs to be addressed. Revolving door administration at the schools has resulted in ineffective communication and execution of learning expectations and educational vision. Look at how the Mellon students "exploded" last year and our high school student behavior over the past few years for evidence.
To that end, I have written my concerns to our administration and board under my name. I have directly stated my concerns. That's a citizen's right and obligation. I never rant and I never bash. I just question and prod. Et tu? ...Anonymous mom of 3
Nova Southeastern University has education in Distance Learning.
I remember the Glendale School District questions from citizens.
No board member wanted to answer them. Hmm!
Post a Comment
<< Home