The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

January 24, 2013

School board nixes new pact for Hefflin

By Tom Davidson Herald Staff Writer

GREENVILLE —



Greenville Area School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Hefflin was put on notice Tuesday: She may not have a job at the end of the school year.

School board members voted 7 to 2 to notify Hefflin they intend to consider other candidates for the job.

School boards are required by law to approve such a notice more than six months before a superintendent’s contract expires.

Hefflin was hired in April 2010 and given a 3-year pact that runs through this school year. When she was hired, her salary was set at $115,000 per year and she’s set to be paid $122,400 for 2012-13.

“We just want to look at other options and look at other candidates,” board vice president Mary Reames said.

She was joined by school board President Dennis Webber and members John O’Malley, Rick Rossi, Evan Gruver, Charles Demerest and John Forbes in supporting the move.

Board members Lisa Holm and Retta Fagley voted against the move.

Despite voting to explore other candidates, Demerest said he supports Hefflin as the leader of the district.

Demerest, Holm and Fagley initially supported a motion to offer Hefflin a new three- to five- year pact that failed, Webber said.

“All I can say is I felt it in the best interest of the school district to renew her contract,” Demerest said. “I think the best thing would be for her to stay.”

The board has “some differences of opinion” about Hefflin’s performance as chief of the school district, he said.

“We want to explore all our options at this point,” Webber said.

Prior to accepting the post in Greenville, Hefflin was an administrator in Kiski Area School District which encompasses parts of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties.

She didn’t return calls and e-mails seeking comment Wednesday.

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