HERMITAGE SCHOOLS Mastrian declines position

The superintendent said he has a number of opportunities he plans to explore.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The departing superintendent of Hermitage School District says he's not interested in a consulting contract offered by the school board.
Dr. Louis C. Mastrian said he notified the school board president by letter Thursday that he won't accept the 90-day, on-call consulting offer to aid a new superintendent.
Contract ends: The board voted in December against renewing Mastrian's contract, and his eight years of service ends June 30.
The board offered Mastrian the consulting contract in February, and he said at the time that it was too vague and contained no specifics regarding fees or even if the new superintendent will want his services.
Mastrian said his letter to board president Duane Piccirilli pointed out that, since the board said it will have full confidence in its selection of a new superintendent, it is appropriate for that person to assume total control and responsibility for the completion of the Hickory High School renovation project.
The district is in the middle of a $24 million expansion and remodeling of the building, and the board had some criticism for not keeping Mastrian in his post until the job is done.
Mastrian said the board also indicated the new superintendent should be given ample opportunity to prepare and present plans for the new direction and new philosophy of education the board is planning.
Other opportunities: Although he had hoped to remain to see the completion of the high school project, Mastrian said he must now explore other opportunities that have become available to him, some of them in education and some of them related to education.
Mastrian said he was instrumental in moving the district into the 21st century by updating its five buildings, expanding the maintenance facility, providing a technology/communications infrastructure in all classrooms and developing a high school stadium complex through a recreation partnership with the city.
He said he also spearheaded the new school/community wellness and fitness center and the proposed cyber library in the high school.
Curriculum changes: There have been innovative curriculum changes during his tenure, he said, listing a secondary integrated curriculum, computer-based math and reading systems and development of a district strategic plan as examples.
He said he also has led the district into fiscal solvency, noting Hermitage had a fund balance of only $35,000 when he came on board, but now he and Gene Fornadel, district business manager, have helped that fund grow to $1.2 million and have also set aside $1 million for capital improvements.
Day Care, Head Start, After-School, Alternative School and Family Center programs were all implemented under his administration, he said.
Mastrian credited the teaching staff, administrative staff, the maintenance supervisor and other district personnel with helping toward those accomplishments.
The school board has not explained why it did not renew Mastrian's contract.