Hempfield alumna to assume role as West Point Elementary principal

The Hempfield Area School District has hired an alumna to serve as a new elementary school principal.

Lindsay Scarpo will succeed Audrey Dell, who is retiring, as principal of West Point Elementary School. Scarpo will earn a salary of $118,953 during the 2021-22 school year. The school board voted unanimously this week to make the hire.

A graduate of Hempfield Area High School and California University of Pennsylvania, Scarpo spent the last year as principal of Mountain View Elementary in the Greater Latrobe School District.

Scarpo began her career as a special education teacher at Greensburg Salem’s Amos K. Hutchinson Elementary School. She later served eight years as associate principal at the school, according to Hempfield Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. Scarpo also spent 10 years coaching the Spartan diving team, Wolicki noted.

“Her experience in special education, time as an administrator, work with intervention and leadership are going to bring a lot to our Hempfield Area School District administrative team. … She is looking forward to working in her community,” Wolicki said in a letter sent to district staff.

According to a March school board agenda, Dell’s retirement goes into effect June 30. She served as principal for 10 years and previously taught at the school.

“As a teacher, I felt I could only help 25 students a year,” Dell said. “As a principal, coaching teachers enabled me to wrap my arms around the whole building, thus helping students and staff alike. What gratitude I have for having been able to live my passion for 30 plus years.”

Dell wished Scarpo “nothing but the best.”

Scarpo’s appointment will be effective immediately upon release from her current position.