Derry Area High School Principal Kara Gardner will serve as Greensburg Salem's first assistant superintendent, filling a gap left by the resignation of the district's human resources director earlier this year.
Gardner, 36, of New Alexandria, began her career in education at Homer-Center Elementary in Center Township. She worked as a school counselor, gifted-student teacher and curriculum coordinator.
She then worked four years as associate principal of Derry's Grandview Elementary and took a principal position at River Valley's Blairsville Elementary before returning to Derry for her current role.
The Hempfield Area graduate grew up playing sports against Greensburg Salem and serving the Greensburg community alongside her late father, Tay Waltenbaugh -- the longtime CEO of Westmoreland Community Action.
"Just being able to help support at things like food banks and community service initiatives at local churches and things that were being held in the community has always made a significant impact on my life," she said.
Waltenbaugh worked for Adelphoi Village and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Westmoreland County before shifting to Westmoreland Community Action, where he served as CEO from 1990 to 2019. He died in December 2023 at age 69.
Gardner's focus on community service caught Greensburg Salem's eye, said Superintendent Ken Bissell.
"Just seeing her passion for the community and for children and doing what's right for children, it stood out," he said. "It was extremely noticeable and genuine.
"I think any leadership role in a district has to be a community servant, that you're spending time to give back to the community."
Picked from pool of 18
The school board voted this week to hire Gardner as acting assistant superintendent with a $129,500 salary, effective July 1. But Derry Area can keep Gardner in her current role for up to 60 days, which would expire in mid-July.
Gardner completed the required coursework and took the exam to acquire her superintendent letter of eligibility from the state Department of Education. She will receive test results confirming her eligibility at the end of June.
Eighteen candidates applied to the job posting, which sought either an assistant superintendent or personnel director, Bissell said.
Gardner will oversee the district's five principals and manage staff professional development and personnel on-boarding and off-boarding. She also will collaborate with the district's curriculum and special education directors on a new teacher induction program and assist Bissell in supervising the district's departments.
Bissell is hopeful having an assistant superintendent will improve districtwide communication and accountability.
"I was currently the direct supervisor of all of the administrative team," he said. "It'll allow for more flexibility of our admin team to get to the tasks that they need to get to."
Hiring address vacancy
Gardner will fill an administrative gap left by former human resources director Kevin Bringe, who resigned effective Feb. 28. He was hired as human resources director in July 2022 with a starting salary of $124,000 after working about a decade as principal at the district's Hutchinson Elementary.
The Gateway School District hired Bringe as human resources director in late January.
Gardner looks forward to getting started.
"I think that gives a really great opportunity to make this position what the district needs and what they're looking for," she said. "I'm just really excited for this next journey in my career and I look forward to working with the teachers and students and the entire community."