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East Allegheny official gets top Carlynton job
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Gary Peiffer, assistant to the superintendent of the East Allegheny School District, was hired last Thursday night as Carlynton's superintendent with a four-year contract at an annual salary of $127,500.
He was hired unanimously to succeed Ronald Panza, who resigned in June to become Sto-Rox superintendent. Joseph Dimperio has been serving as interim superintendent during Carlynton's search for a chief administrator.
Mr. Peiffer also is director of federal programs for East Allegheny, which has an enrollment of about 1,850 students and covers East McKeesport, North Versailles, Wall and Wilmerding. Carlynton's enrollment is about 1,400. He will join Carlynton on July 1.
Mr. Peiffer, of Turtle Creek, said during his interview that he was most impressed by the ties between Carnegie, Crafton and Rosslyn Farms and told board members and administrators last Thursday that he is humbled and honored.
Mr. Peiffer grew up in Quakertown in Eastern Pennsylvania, graduated in 1984 from Quakertown Community Senior High School and in 1988 graduated from Penn State University with a degree in secondary education.
In 1997, Mr. Peiffer became an assistant high school principal in East Allegheny and served in that position until 2003, when he was assigned to oversee the development and implementation of the middle school program.
He was high school principal in 2006-09 and was principal for the alternative education program. In 2008, he became federal programs director. In 2009, he was appointed assistant to the superintendent.
Mr. Peiffer received his superintendent letter of eligibility from the University of Pittsburgh and continues to work toward his doctoral degree there.
Mr. Peiffer has traveled to the Soviet Union in conjunction with the People to People Student Initiative for Understanding Youth Exchange and spent three weeks in Turkey as part of an educators tour sponsored by the Turkish Cultural Foundation.
In his spare time, he said he likes to travel to historic and archaeological sites and enjoys reading and spending time with his wife, Emilia, an East Allegheny High School counselor, and a daughter, Elena.
Mr. Dimperio said he plans to go back to the "good life" of retirement.
Diane Kirk who led the four-month search process, said there were 31 applicants.
First Published April 19, 2012 4:59 am
