North Allegheny board approves consent agenda, confirms three personnel appointments with one abstention

The North Allegheny School Board approved a consent agenda at its Jan. 21 meeting that included the appointment of three district administrators and related routine items.

Board members moved and seconded the consent agenda after the president noted three items added since the prior meeting: "the appointment of an acting principal, the appointment of a coordinator of continuous learning and innovative instruction, and the appointment of a principal at Hosec Elementary," the president said. Missus Blackburn announced she would abstain on item 12. The presiding officer opened and closed the vote and announced: "The vote has closed, and all items have passed unanimously with number 12 abstained by missus Blackburn." (Transcript.)

Dr. Gibbs described the appointments in more detail, saying the board was "very excited, for each of these appointments." He named the selected administrators: Lauren Bruner to serve as principal at Hozak Elementary after more than six years as principal at Stanwood Elementary in the Hempfield Area School District; Stephanie DeLuca as coordinator of continuous learning and innovative instruction after five years in Brentwood Borough School District; and Janelle Viagarelli, currently assistant principal at Carson Middle School, to serve as acting principal at Carson while Dr. Caitlin Ewing is on leave.

Two appointees took the podium to offer brief remarks. One said, "I'm so excited. My family is so excited," and another said professional learning and innovation are priorities they hope to bring to the district.

The vote recorded the consent agenda as approved and noted the single abstention on item 12. No other formal board actions were taken on the appointments during the meeting.

What’s next: The appointed administrators are expected to assume their duties according to district onboarding procedures; the board did not state implementation dates during the meeting.