PR School Board Director Richard Herko Announces He Will Resign

Richard Herko announced Monday night that he is resigning his post on the Pine-Richland School Board because he is moving out of the district.

Herko said he has accepted a tenure-track position at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, where he will teach graduate students and do research in strategic management. 

He also will be stepping down as the president of the A.W. Beattie Career Center Joint Operating Committee, a coalition of nine school districts that send students to Beattie.

But Herko did not tender his resignation yet. Once he does, the board has 30 days to select his replacement. 

Herko represents Region 1 on the school board; it encompasses Pine Township voting districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8. His term was scheduled to end in December 2013.

Herko is the second school board member in the past year to tender his resignation. submitted his resignation in the spring of 2011, saying he could no longer dedicate the time and energy needed for the job. 

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School Board President Stephen Hawbaker said the time for accolades for Herko will come later, but the board needs to discuss at its next meeting on April 24 how it will choose Herko's replacement.

He referred to last year's proceedings as "a difficult process indeed."

Hawbaker said he would like for the community to start thinking about who will fill the vacancy.

Lyons stressed the importance of getting the word out about the upcoming vacancy as soon as possible, noting that some people will need to get an employer's permission before becoming a candidate for the seat.

Director Therese Dawson noted that Herko "has graciously given us time" by notifying the board early about his intentions.

Herko's involvement in the Pine-Richland School Board "has been immense," according to the district's website.

He served as the board's vice president from December 2009 to December 2010, as well as serving on a host of committees during his years on the board.

"Right now, Herko is working on a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. He earned an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and Bachelors in Economics from Pennsylvania State University," the district website states.

"Before beginning his doctoral work at the University of Pittsburgh, Herko worked at a private consulting business called, Nortier. He also has worked at Sears, Roebuck and Co. Infotopia/Trendirect Marketing and PNC Bank," according to the district website.

"Herko served our country from 1992 to 2002 as first lieutenant in the United State Army Reserve."

He was honored by the University of Pittsburgh's College of Business Administration with the Award for Best Teaching in a Core Course for 2009. Herko is the first doctoral student to be awarded this honor. 

Herko and his wife reside in Pine Township with their daughter.

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