The New Kensington-Arnold School District hired several teachers and other personnel ahead of the start of the 2023-24 school year.

Nicholas DeFrancesco was hired as a DECA teacher at Valley Junior-Senior High School, with a starting salary of $53,368.

DECA, short for Distributive Education Clubs of America, prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. It is a new program for the district, Principal Jon Banko said.

“We are starting the actual course with our eighth graders with the intention of building a program of courses around activities and the actual DECA program,” he said. “The new teacher will also be teaching a few business courses (and) electives for our high school kids.”

Also hired were first grade teachers Brenna Kloes and Frances Mastriano at H.D. Berkey Elementary School; second grade teachers Jessica Bauer and Jaden Domaratz at Berkey; and sixth grade teacher Robert Towarnicki at Roy A. Hunt Elementary. They all will start at $49,947.

Hanna Wehr was hired as a seventh grade English language arts teacher at Valley Junior-Senior High School. Michael Strini was hired as fifth grade learning support at Hunt. Their salaries also are $49,947.

Halua Warner and Robin Pulcini were hired as personal care aides at locations to be determined. They start at $16.85 per hour.

Sara Weisz was hired as a behavioral support interventionist at a salary of $50,000.

The district hired two speech and language pathologists. Lisa Bozzo will start at $75,558 while Melissa Baumiller will start at $54,450.

Six district employees were transferred to new positions. They are Amy Obriot, math specialist at Martin and Berkey elementary schools; Jennifer DiPerna, art teacher at Martin and Berkey; Tammy Lowe, building secretary at the junior-senior high school; Allyson Davis, personal care aide at Martin; Adrienne Sell, personal care aide, location to be determined; and Angelica Guzzo, reading specialist at Martin.

The board accepted the resignations of Emily Mischen, a first grade teacher at Berkey, and Ben Carlisle, middle school soccer coach.

The first day of school for students is Aug. 23.

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