Despite pleas from several residents to allow the new school board that takes office next month to select the next superintendent of the West Mifflin Area School District, the board last night voted to award Assistant Superintendent Janet Sardon the job.

She replaces Patrick Risha, who last week told the board he was retiring.

More than 100 people attended the meeting and the crowd appeared to be split between those who opposed and those who supported Dr. Sardon's appointment.

Several requested that the board hold off on the decision to appoint a new superintendent since four of its current members had lost re-election and would be leaving the board in about two weeks.

Those members are John Donis, Michael Jakubovic, Diana Olasz and Edward Schueler.

Resident John Koska, who has been a frequent critic of Mr. Risha's, asked the board why they couldn't wait two more weeks until the new board took office Dec. 8 for a decision on the new superintendent.

"The way I look at it ... this is nothing but a con game," Mr. Koska said.

None of the school directors responded during the meeting, but after the meeting Mrs. Olasz said there was no reason to wait to appoint Dr. Sardon because she was highly qualified for the superintendency.

"Why search when you have a qualified superintendent already here?" Mrs. Olasz said.

The vote to hire Dr. Sardon was 5-2, with board President Ned Mervos, Vice President Albert Graham and school directors Kathy Bracco, Mrs. Olasz and Mr. Jakubovic voting in favor.

Mr. Donis and school director Richard Fialkovich were opposed and school directors Michael Price and Mr. Schueler were absent. Mr. Price sent a letter read by Business Manager Dennis Cmar saying he did not attend the meeting because he believed it was illegal.

Mr. Price has threatened to take legal action to overturn any contracts approved by the lame duck board.

Last night's board action marked the second time in a week that the same board majority locked the district into a long-term contract before the new board takes office. Last week the same five school directors voted to award long-term contracts to four other administrators that included severance payments that total up to $156,650 if the employees are terminated.

After last night's vote, about half of the audience stood and cheered Dr. Sardon's appointment, which takes effect today.

Her five-year contract that the board approved runs through Nov. 20, 2014. Her starting salary is $120,000.

Dr. Sardon, 38, said she appreciated the support of the board and hoped to continue to implement successful programs as she has for the past two years. Among them, she said, was the start of full-day kindergarten, a preschool program, a cyber school, freshman academy and middle school team teaching.

She said she will work to convert her detractors.

"I'm up to the challenge, and my whole reason for being here is the kids," Dr. Sardon said.

Mr. Risha gave the school board notice that he would retire Dec. 23 and use sick days until then. On Thursday, however, Mr. Risha sent a letter to the board indicating he was retiring as of 4 p.m. yesterday because he was tired of the attacks being made on his character and leadership skills.

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