Pine-Richland Hires Two New Principals

Pine-Richland has added two new principals to the district.

At Monday’s school board meeting, officials unanimously voted to hire Steven Smith as principal at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School. 

Currently principal of Haine Middle School in the neighboring Seneca Valley School District, Smith will be paid a salary of $110,00 in his new role.

The Adams Township resident replaces Mary Catherine Reljac, who was named assistant superintendent at the Franklin Regional School District in Murrysville.

The board also hired Laura Burns as assistant principal at Pine-Richland High School.

Burns, of Bethel Park, has been assistant principal at Carlynton Junior/Senior High School since 2010. 

Prior to that, she taught social studies for eight years in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. She also served as the district's social studies department chair and as an alternative education administrator.

Burns will be paid a salary of $73,500 in her new position. She replaces Michele Welter, whose last day with Pine-Richland was effective June 28.

Welter left the district in order to pursue obtaining her doctorate full-time, according to Rachel Hathhorn, the district’s director of communications.

Meet the New Principals

Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Education in Special Education from Slippery Rock University. He obtained his K-12 Elementary and Secondary Principal Certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

He currently is working on his doctorate in education in Administrative and Leadership Studies from the University of Phoenix.

“Smith will bring a significant amount of leadership experience to the Pine-Richland School District,” New Pine-Richland Superintendent Dr. Brian R. Miller said. “His experiences with students, staff, and parents at the upper elementary level will provide value to Eden Hall.”

Smith, who has been with the Seneca Valley School District for 14 years, said the Upper Eden Hall Elementary building, which opened in 2008, helped attract him to Pine-Richland. 

“The structure and the design of the building with the programs that can be developed there was very enticing,” he said. “I really wanted the opportunity to be part of that.”

Burns earned her Master’s Degree of Public Management and K-12 Principal Certification from Carnegie Mellon University. 

She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a Master of Arts in Teaching with Social Studies Teaching Certification from the University of Pittsburgh.

“During her time at Carlynton Junior/Senior High, Mrs. Burns gained valuable experience in all building administrative responsibilities,” Miller said. “She will provide an important complement to the administrative team at the high school.”

Miller, who joined the district as superintendent from neighboring North Allegheny July 1, said the candidates went through an extensive interviewing process before being hired at Pine-Richland. 

He added the three-round process included interviews with representatives of the teaching staff, principals and administrators, including himself and Assistant Superintendent Dr. David Foley. 

A start date has not been determined yet for the new principals. Pine-Richland students return to the classroom Aug. 28.

“I’m definitely excited to get started,” Burns said.