WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Whitehall-Coplay School District approved a new superintendent and assistant superintendent Monday, just under three months after Robert Steckel’s resignation.
Christopher A. Schiffert and Renee Sallit were got the School Board's vote for the positions of superintendent and assistant superintendent, respectively.
“There are fabulous kids here, fabulous teachers, fabulous staff in general, and our whole community. It's just a wonderful place. So I couldn't be any more happy or excited to be here.”Whitehall-Coplay School District Superintendent Christopher A. Schiffert
Steckel's resignation was approved in early September but he stayed on amid the search for a new leader.
Schiffert previously served as the district’s assistant to the superintendent for general operations, and Sallit worked as the assistant to the superintendent for academic programs.
Before that, Schiffert was principal of Whitehall High School, and Sallit worked in the district for three years, originally serving as the director of teaching and learning.
She later worked in technology before stepping into the role of assistant to the superintendent.
'Our own new twist'
The newly approved superintendent expressed how happy he was to make the move to Whitehall-Coplay, and all the responsibilities he took on before stepping into the new job.
“It's a great opportunity," Schiffert said. "It's really an honor and a privilege to be in the role, so I'm very thankful for that.
"And now it's just about moving ahead and meeting all of our district goals. I'm very excited about entering this new chapter in my career and right alongside a great partner."Renee Sallit
“I've been in Whitehall 15 years now. I'd come from a previous school district, and as I've often said, and I said tonight, it was one of the best moves I ever made, was coming to Whitehall because it's such a wonderful place.
"There are fabulous kids here, fabulous teachers, fabulous staff in general, and our whole community. It's just a wonderful place.
"So I couldn't be any more happy or excited to be here.”
Schiffert said Steckel had done many great things for the district, “and it’s exciting to be a part of that, and continue of that work and vision, and put our own new twist on things.”
According to Sallit, previous administrations have helped “reorganize a few times to figure out what is the best structure for us, and we really believe that we’ve gotten to that point now.
"And now it's just about moving ahead and meeting all of our district goals. I'm very excited about entering this new chapter in my career and right alongside a great partner.
"We have a lot of great things going on in the district, and we're really looking forward to taking the lead on a lot of things and pushing the district forward, following Dr. Steckel and doing the very best that we can do."
Board President William P. Fonzone said he and his fellow board members felt “very good” about Schiffert and Sallit stepping up, in particular pointing out Schiffert’s abilities.
“We feel very confident — they were excellent interviews,” Fonzone said. “It was a tough interview process, and Chris emerged as the top person in our interviews, and we feel really good.
"He’s going to lead this district, continue on what we’re doing, and expand it. It was a good choice.”
Both Schiffert and Sallit said they intend to home in on instructional focus and strategies, and “providing our teachers with the professional learning that they need to be able to convert that into the classroom,” as Sallit described it.
Schiffert also said that “making sure that our staff and our teachers and everyone has a real voice and some shared decision making” also will be a focal point.
A spirited farewell
The board also took time to offer its best wishes to Steckel, who served in his last meeting as superintendent Monday.
Steckel, who said he had accepted a role in the private sector, led the district for three years before his resignation was announced at the end of August and was accepted in a 7-0 board vote.
“Dr. Steckel, on behalf of the Whitehall-Coplay board of education, we wish to thank you for your leadership the past three years, working with our administrative staff and faculty, and instituting new academic programs that will help raise our students to become the best they can be," Fonzone said.
“On behalf of the board, we wish you and your family the very best in your new endeavor, and a sincere thank you for your outstanding leadership.”
Steckel also received a tearful, but silent, goodbye from "Big Z," the district's mascot, who required a few tissues to wipe the tears away before embracing the outgoing superintendent.
Toward the end of the meeting, a video featuring faculty, administrators, staff and students thanking Steckel for his service was played, clearly evoking a bit of sentiment from Steckel as a classroom of kids thanked him and wished him luck.
“I truly, truly love every day here at Whitehall, and it's been an awesome experience," Steckel said. Every day brings a new challenge.
"Some days are more difficult than others, but because of people like you all, it's been a pleasure."
