Assistant Superintendent Departing Pine-Richland for New Job

As Pine-Richland welcomes new Superintendent Dr. Brian R. Miller, another administrator is departing the district.

Dr. David Foley, assistant superintendent at Pine-Richland since 2009, has been hired as superintendent of the West Middlesex Area School District in Mercer County. 

The district is located much closer to Grove City, where Foley lives with his wife and three children.

Foley will continue to work at Pine-Richland through mid-October.

“We are proud that Dr. Foley has received such an important leadership opportunity,” a statement from Pine-Richland said. “We are thankful for his years of hard work and expertise.”

Prior to joining the district, Foley served as the principal of Hillview Intermediate Center in the Grove City School District and as a technology facilitator in the neighboring Seneca Valley School District.  

In December 2012, he was tapped to serve as interim superintendent at Pine-Richland after the school board voted 5-3 not to renew former Superintendent Dr. Mary Bucci's contract.

At the time, Foley told Patch he was not interested in vying for the superintendent's job on a permanent basis and, as assistant superintendent, was enjoying his role overseeing curriculum, instruction and assessment for Pine-Richland.

The district hired Miller as Bucci’s permanent replacement in April. 

Formerly assistant superintendent in the North Allegheny School District, Miller began his new position with Pine-Richland on July 1.  

A replacement for Foley has not been hired yet.

More Administrative Moves

The board also has appointed Joseph Domagala as interim principal at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School pending the arrival of Steven Smith. 

Domagala, who joined Pine-Richland four years ago, had served as assistant principal at the school.

Smith, who was hired as principal at Eden Hall at the Aug. 12 school board meeting, is finishing his work as principal of Haine Middle School in the Seneca Valley School District before joining Pine-Richland. 

Communications Director Rachel Hathhorn said a start date for Smith has not been determined yet.

Smith replaces Mary Catherine Reljac, who was hired as assistant superintendent at the Franklin Regional School District in Murrysville.

In the meantime, Domagala will supported by Dr. Patricia Dunkis, who was appointed at Monday’s school board meeting as interim assistant principal at Eden Hall.

Dunkis is no stranger to the elementary school. She served as the building’s interim associate principal in 2011 and as interim principal at Wexford Elementary School in 2009. 

Previously, she worked in the Upper St. Clair School District for 31 years as a classroom teacher, curriculum leader, elementary principal and director of elementary education and professional development.