Niles hires schools chief
The new top official will be paid the same as the outgoing superintendent.
& lt;a href=mailto:slshaulis@vindy.com & gt;By SHERRI L. SHAULIS & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- After fluctuating between being a Dragon and a Ram, Rocco D. Adduci is back home with the Dragons again.
The Niles Board of Education unanimously voted to hire Adduci on Thursday as superintendent of the district, home of the Red Dragons, effective Aug. 1.
Adduci, who has served as superintendent for Weathersfield Local Schools, home of the Mineral Ridge Rams, for the past four years, will earn $85,928.62 per year in the three-year deal.
The salary is the same paid to Superintendent Patrick N. Guliano, who is resigning July 31.
Adduci's comments
After the vote, Adduci addressed the board and the audience, cautioning them against having preconceived notions about decisions he may make in the new job.
He referred to recent decisions in Weathersfield to cut busing to state minimums and lay off employees in an effort to avoid being placed into state-imposed fiscal emergency status.
"Just because I did those things there -- just because the Big Bad Wolf is coming here -- does not necessarily mean I will do the same," he said.
Adduci added that any decisions he makes as the lead administrator is Niles schools will be done "with the kids in mind."
Adduci is expected to resign from the Weathersfield district when its boad meets Wednesday.
Background
Before his job in Weathersfield, Adduci served 10 years as assistant principal at Niles McKinley High School, eight years at principal of Lordstown High School, five years with Packard Electric and six years as a teacher in the Lakeview and Howland school districts.
He received his undergraduate degree from Kent State University in 1971, and his master's in education from Westminster College in 1974.
He has completed additional course work at Ashland University, KSU, Youngstown State University, the University of Dayton and Westminster College.
Adduci is certified to serve as superintendent for local school districts in Ohio, and expects to receive his city schools certification from Ashland University in July.
Adduci and his wife, Debbie, live in Niles. Adduci has three children: Rocco Jr., 27; Celeste, 24; and Nicole, 17.
In other news, the board also agreed to place Mark J. Pallante at the master's plus 30 years level of the administrative salary schedule.
Pallante was hired earlier this month as principal of the high school and will be paid $67,575 annually. Pallante replaces Michael A. Lastic, who retired last month. Pallante previously served as assistant principal at the school.
& lt;a href=mailto:slshaulis@vindy.com & gt;slshaulis@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;