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Pittsburgh Public Schools board approves staffing changes
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Central office staffing changes in Pittsburgh Public Schools are expected to save $315,697 a year.
The savings are a result of departures and changes, some of which were approved by the school board Wednesday night.
"As we relate this to our envisioning process, we think this will be a structure that will support us through that," said Superintendent Linda Lane in an interview.
The board Wednesday approved the departure of chief of staff Lisa Fischetti,chief of staff and external affairs, who will become senior communications director at Presbyterian SeniorCare in Oakmont.
Last month, it approved the departure of Paulette Poncelet, chief of research, assessment and accountability, who went to Chicago Public Schools.
In addition, Jan Ripper, district chief of student support services, retired last month.
The roles of Ms. Poncelet and Ms. Ripper will be filled by a new chief of accountability and student support services. The board Wednesday voted to hire Tammy Campbell, project director at the Center for Education Leadership at the University of Washington, for the new position.
Under a contract, Ms. Campbell previously worked with district leaders to help find better ways for central office to support schools.
In addition, three new director positions were created -- accountability, assessment and research. Those who will hold the jobs have not been selected, but selections are likely to come from internal candidates.
The duties of Ms. Fischetti will be divided among others.
A new position is being created called special assistant to the superintendent, which the board filled with Errika Fearby Jones, who was coordinator of the office of teacher effectiveness.
Two others will have additional duties, picking up portions of Ms. Fischetti's role.
Susan Chersky, coordinator of communications and marketing, has been named communications officer.
Ebony Pugh, who was public relations coordinator, has been named public information officer.
One other top administrator also is leaving the district, Pete Camarda, chief financial and operations officer, who will retire on June 29. The district is advertising to fill that position.
Also at Wednesday's meeting, the board approved the upcoming June retirements of several principals: Deborah Cox, South Hills 6-8; Jerry Minsinger, Pittsburgh Gifted Center; and Barbara Soroczak, Liberty K-5. Barbara Rudiak, interim chief of student support services, also will be retiring in June.
First Published February 27, 2013 10:40 pm
