Linda Hippert, superintendent of the South Fayette School District, will become the new executive director of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

The AIU board last night voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Hippert, 54, to the position, effective July 1, for a four-year contract that includes an annual starting salary of $160,000.

Dr. Hippert, of Upper St. Clair, replaced Donna Durno, the former superintendent of the Mars Area School District, who retired as the AIU's executive director in late March.

Dr. Hippert has been superintendent in South Fayette since 1996. Since then, the district has grown from about 1,000 students to 2,300. She holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in curriculum and supervision from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate degree from Duquesne University's Program for Educational Leaders.

At the AIU, headquartered in Homestead, Dr. Hippert will oversee an agency that provides specialized education services to the 42 suburban school districts and five vocational-technical schools in Allegheny County.