By an 8-0 vote, Chartiers Valley directors hired Susan Palfy as assistant superintendent for curriculum at a special meeting last week. Director Bridget Kelly was absent.

Palfy, who was given a five-year contract with a $95,000 starting salary, will begin work May 2, the same day Anthony Skender will begin as superintendent. Skender is now superintendent at Sto-Rox.

Palfy is replacing Joseph Petrella, who left Chartiers Valley in late November to join Gateway as assistant superintendent. Palfy was assistant superintendent of secondary education in Gateway for four years before joining Chartiers Valley. Before that, she was assistant superintendent in Charleroi.

"We're looking forward to bringing her on board," said board President Tom Galluze, who believes the district is assembling a first-class team following the Feb. 28 retirements of its top three administrators.

Galluze said Palfy, who has specialized in recent years in high school curriculum and technology, will be a good fit with another recently appointed assistant superintendent, Tammy Whitfield, who has concentrated on special education programs during her years with the district.

The district still has a vacancy in the business manager's job, but Galluze said directors will deal with that appointment after Skender comes on board.