Struthers native hired to lead school district

She began her teaching career as a sixth-grade teacher in Austintown.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A Struthers, Ohio, native is the new superintendent for the Neshannock Area School District.
Mary S. Todora was unanimously approved to replace Michael Hink, superintendent for the past four years. He has served the district for more than 21 years in various administrative positions.
Todora will receive a prorated salary of $115,000 for the 2005-06 school year and an annual salary of $115,000 for the 2006-07 school year.
Todora and her husband, Lou, reside in Poland, Ohio.
"I can't begin to tell you how much it means that you have selected me for this position," Todora said. She said she's hoping to make Neshannock School District home.
Todora introduced the board to her husband; her parents, Joe and Eleanor Gentile of Struthers; her sister Marlene Barone, who teaches fifth grade in the Struthers School District; and her stepchildren and grandchildren.
She likes that Neshannock is a small district, and said she hopes to get to know the children as well as the parents. She also likes that her office is located in the middle of the school, where she will have the opportunity to step out and interact with the children.
Todora will be leaving her position as assistant superintendent for secondary education and curriculum in the North Allegheny School District. She will be turning in her resignation Thursday and hopes to start her position at Neshannock by the middle of February.
Her education
She received her undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University, and her doctorate from Kent State University. Todora began her teaching career as a sixth-grade teacher at Austintown Middle School. She then relocated to California where she taught third through eighth grade and received her first administrative position as a learning specialist.
In 1989 she became the director of curriculum and instruction for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. She also served as director of education of the Niles City Schools. She returned to Struthers schools as director of special education/curriculum/staff development; in 1996 the board said she became the superintendent and held that position for seven years. In 2003 she accepted the position with the North Allegheny School District located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.
After Hink announced his retirement plans in August, the board hired Tri-State Area School Study Council to begin the search for a new superintendent. The group, affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, presented the board with 18 candidates and later narrowed the search to six. The board then interviewed the six candidates.
Board President Dr. John Dietz commented that Dr. John DeCara, from Tri-State said the board would know which candidate would suit Neshannock. Dietz said it was a unanimous decision to choose Todora.