Pine-Richland superintendent, assistant contracted through 2022

Contracts were renewed and salaries raised for both Superintendent Brian Miller and Assistant Superintendent Michael Pasquinelli of the Pine-Richland School District during the Oct. 3 board meeting.

The new contracts will take effect in January and continue through June 2022. All six board members present voted in favor of the renewals; Therese Dawson, Greg DiTullio and Virginia Goebel were absent.

“It is an honor to serve the students, staff, and community of Pine-Richland. The energy and commitment to education has been remarkable. I look forward to continued growth and excellence for our students,” said Miller, who began at Pine-Richland as superintendent in July 2013.

The superintendent's salary will be raised from the current $166,122.25 to $168,872 for 2017-18. His salary for 2015-16 was $162,070.50, according to Rachel Hatthorn, communications director for the district.

Pasquinelli is currently at $132,394.89, a raise from $126,997.50 last year. He will now earn $138,500 a year until 2018, according to Hatthorn.

Before Miller came to Pine-Richland, he was an assistant superintendent of kindergarten through 12th grade at North Allegheny School District. He started there in 1996 as a health and physical education teacher and a lead teacher, after which he held various principal and assistant superintendent positions.

He holds degrees from Penn State University and Carlow University and earned a doctorate in education from Duquesne University in May 2009.

Pasquinelli also worked at North Allegheny, as principal at Marshall Elementary, prior to coming to Pine-Richland in December 2013.

Pasquinelli received his doctorate in leadership from the University of Pittsburgh in May 2015. He also has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

“I look forward to continuing to work with staff, students, and families to strengthen all of the components for student learning — curriculum, assessments, and instruction,” said Pasquinelli.

Jeffrey Banyas, school board president, noted Miller's and Pasquinelli's harmonious working relationship.

“You both complement each other very well,” said Banyas, who's been on the board since 2009.

Fellow board member Peter Lyons said the contract renewals help provide for a “constancy of leadership for this district.”

However, one public comment regarding the contract process was made.

“I don't recall having discussion on the superintendent contract before tonight's agenda,” said Dan Kerr of Gibsonia, adding that he has routinely been attending the meetings for approximately six months.

“I almost feel like it was kind of rushed through ... (and) there wasn't a chance to discuss it or voice concern,” he said.

Natalie Beneviat is a Tribune-Review contributor.