CRESTVIEW SCHOOLS Board chooses a new principal

By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- Thanks to a tip from the man he will replace, Alphonse Cervello of Boardman is the new principal of Crestview Elementary.
The board granted Cervello a three-year contract Wednesday at a salary of $54,000 for the first year.
Cervello replaces Michael Notar, also of Boardman, who accepted a position as principal of Boardman's Stadium Drive Elementary after one year at Crestview.
Four finalists: The Crestview assignment will be Cervello's first in an administrative position. He was one of four finalists selected from a field of 23 applicants. The applicants were screened by the school board's personnel committee, and schools Superintendent John Dilling, building principals and a panel of teachers interviewed the finalists.
Cervello has taught at Western Reserve's Ellsworth Elementary since 1993, teaching science to first- through fourth-grade pupils there. He's taught third- and fourth-graders since 1999.
Dilling said Cervello is a friend of Notar, and he encouraged Cervello to apply.
Cervello "is going to do a wonderful job and we are excited to have him," Dilling said. "He will fit in well with our staff and other administrators."
Dilling said the board and administrators are most impressed with Cervello's enthusiasm and his knowledge of elementary administration.
He said Cervello has been involved in the development of Ellsworth Elementary's continuous improvement plan, and is familiar with looping, an instructional technique Dilling says will be implemented this year at Crestview. With looping, pupils will have the same teacher for the third and fourth grades, allowing pupils continuity in the classroom and allowing teachers to better understand pupils' needs, Dilling said.
Education background: Cervello holds a master's in administration from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., and a bachelor's in education from Youngstown State University. He is certified to teach first through eighth grade.
He resides in Boardman with his wife, Kelly; daughter Cameron, 3; and son Aidan, 2.