Familiar face to be next principal at Deer Lakes High School

Deer Lakes High School’s assistant principal is now the building’s top administrator.

Ryan Aleski will replace current high school principal Patrick Baughman, who was appointed as Plum High School’s principal earlier this month.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to build strong healthy relationships with both the students and the staff. We have consistently pushed the students and staff to challenge themselves in all aspects of their education whether that is academics, athletics or the arts,” Aleski said.

“We want all students to leave Deer Lakes High School with a strong understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses and an idea of their lifelong careers. We will continue to explore all avenues for students to be successful after high school whether that is the workforce, trade school, the military or college.”

Aleski had been the assistant principal at Deer Lakes for nine years, according to district spokesman Shawn Annarelli. Aleski graduated from Montour High School and Westminster College. He earned his master’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania.

He also taught and was the dean of students in the Sto-Rox School District.

“I have a deep respect for Mr. Aleski’s ability to connect with students, staff and parents, and I’m very excited to see Ryan’s leadership take the high school to the next level,” Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden said.

Aleski will be paid $120,000.

Baughman’s last day at Deer Lakes is Oct. 20.

“We thank Mr. Baughman for serving as high school principal for nine years and wish him well in his new district,” Logue-Belden said.