With more than a quarter century of school management experience to his credit, it's easy to see why Chartiers Valley school directors named Nicholas D. Morelli last week as new director of finance and support operations, as well as board secretary. He is expected to begin work in early January.

Mr. Morelli has been business manager/board secretary in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District since 1998. Before that, he was West Allegheny's business manager for three years.

Part of his duties there included directing the district's transportation programs. He also worked for Duquesne School District.

Chartiers Valley school board President Tom Galluze said he was pleased with the appointment.

"We're very lucky to have him," he said, noting the hiring, as well as those within the last year of Superintendent Anthony Skender and assistant superintendents Tammy Whitfield and Susan Palfy, gave the district "an excellent administrative team."

Mr. Morelli indicated he was happy about his new job.

"It's a good opportunity for me," he said.

The vote to hire Mr. Morelli was unanimous except for Director Jeff Choura, who abstained because he was not present for the interviews. After a two-year absence, Mr. Choura was sworn to a new term of office moments before the hiring. He was invited to sit in on the final interview, but was unable to attend because of his work schedule.

Mr. Skender said the district was in the process of negotiating a contract with Mr. Morelli, but that his salary would be $90,000. He expects Mr. Morelli to begin work in January. The district will work with Baldwin-Whitehall to ensure a smooth transition.

Mr. Morelli, 49, is a state-registered school business administrator and is active in numerous work-related organizations. In 2002, he was elected director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials as well as a member of the Association of School Business Officials and is a member of the secretary's department of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

He will replace Charles Koch, who retired in February. Kim Hartnett, who has been serving as director of fiscal services and treasurer, will continue to work in the district's business department.

A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Mr. Morelli lives in North Fayette with his wife, Deborah, and their three children, daughter Jessica, 19, a student at Allegheny College; and sons Nicholas, 16; and Matt, 13.