WILSON, Pa. — Wilson Area School Board on Monday approved a job description for its assistant superintendent, who was approved for the role in February.
Assistant Superintendent Amy Austin was approved for the role at the board’s Feb. 4 meeting, but without the language of the job description.
Austin, who previously said her new job would encompass many of the responsibilities she held as director of curriculum and instruction, took the position with a salary of $140,000, effective through June 30, 2030.
“In the past, we've had assistant superintendents that we kind of moved out because our administration wears a lot of different hats. But at this time, Amy's moved into that position.”Wilson Area School Board President Judith Herbstreith
The assistant superintendent description lays out general qualifications — holding a Pennsylvania Letter of Eligibility and an Administrative certificate in addition to a strong educational background and at least five years’ experience of successful building-level leadership experience — in addition to more specific responsibilities and duties.
Those include oversight of hiring, supervision of the new educator instruction program, supervision of the district’s Pennsylvania Information Management System and child accounting department information.
Austin will supervise and direct principals, professionals and other administrative teams.
That will include routine work with administrators, interviewing candidates for staff positions, developing, maintaining and interpreting curriculum, coordinating state testing and other programs, working on school district safety plans and strengthening bonds with the community as a whole.
Predominantly, she will serve as support for Superintendent Harrison Bailey III, who stepped into his role on Feb. 18, with general or specific assistance as needed.
'Help support the district'
Since July, Wilson Area High School Principal John Martuscelli served as an acting superintendent, prior to the board approving Bailey at its Dec. 16 meeting.
“In the past, we've had assistant superintendents that we kind of moved out because our administration wears a lot of different hats," board President Judith Herbstreith said.
"But at this time, Amy's moved into that position.”
“The difference really is, we have our permanent superintendent, and obviously the increase in my role is to support him. Back him up and do whatever is needed to help support the district.”Wilson Area Schools Assistant Superintendent Amy Adams
Bailey said Austin’s work has been invaluable, and he looks forward to improving the district with her know-how.
“It's been great, especially for me coming in new, to have someone who's been around and knows the ropes in the district," said Bailey, the former Liberty High School principal in Bethlehem.
"And so she will continue in the curriculum and instructional position as the assistant superintendent, as well as the other duties that she has.
“Her and I are talking very closely; she’s teaching me some things about how things have gone, and so it's been great to work with her and talk about systems that we want to create, processes that we want to put in place to help our teachers be at their best.”
Bailey said the job description for the post is rather standard, though he expects to engage in some realignments near the beginning of summer 2025.
“The difference really is, we have our permanent superintendent, and obviously the increase in my role is to support him," Austin said.
"Back him up and do whatever is needed to help support the district.”
Austin said she is enjoying the new role.
