Temporary changes made to Hempfield’s administration office

Hempfield’s central administration office is receiving help in the weeks leading up to the first day of school.

Gregory Saraceni, an assistant principal at Hempfield Area High School, will temporarily provide support to the central administration office, Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said. Board members voted this week to approve the changes, which will be in effect until the beginning of October.

Saraceni, who started his new position Tuesday, is filling a gap caused by a resignation and a new hire who cannot begin until October.

“This is an unusually busy year with opening day preparations and having one less team member has created additional challenges,” Wolicki said. “Mr. Saraceni … is already supporting the team in preparing for the opening of school.”

The changes came following the hiring of Kimberlie Rieffannacht as the new assistant superintendent of elementary education. The position was previously held by Matthew Conner, who is the new assistant superintendent of secondary education, which had been vacant since July 1.

But those changes do not go into effect until Oct. 5, when Rieffannacht will be released from her current position at Huntingdon Area School District.

Saraceni is currently pursuing a doctorate degree, Wolicki said, adding that the move will give him “valuable experience for his next career goal.”

He will earn an extra $50 per day in his temporary position.

“I don’t think anybody anywhere would think these people didn’t need the help,” Tony Bompiani, school board president, said during the meeting. “They’ve been working short for two months and, with all the extra work they’ve done for this plan, this opening plan, which has been marvelous, we need to get them some help.”