Photo by Amy Cherry Dr. William Kaufman, center, mentor in the principal’s leadership induction program presents certificates of completion to St. Marys Area High School Assistant Principal Joseph Schlimm, left, and St. Marys Area Middle School Student Concerns Coordinator Karen Lucanik.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

St. Marys Area High School Assistant Principal Joseph Schlimm and St. Marys Area Middle School Student Concerns Coordinator Karen Lucanik were presented certificates of completion for their participation in the principal’s leadership induction.

Dr. William Kaufman presented the plaques to the Schlimm and Lucanik during Monday evening’s St. Marys Area Board of School Directors meeting.

Kaufman was their assigned mentor who worked with them for the past nine months is discussing topics relating impacting the school district including from testing, construction, student discipline and much more.

“It’s been a really joy working with them,” Kaufman said. “I think St. Marys is fortunate to have individuals of this caliber working on their team.”

Now retired, Kaufman worked for 37 years in the education field. He was a former superintendent in Clarion and spent four years as the executive director of an intermediate unit.

Lucanik praised Kaufman for his time, energy and expertise.

“We will put back what we learned into our buildings and into the hearts of our children,” Lucanik said.

“It was an eye-opening experience that I enjoyed,” Schlimm added.

This type of professional education training is part of a large program entitled Pennsylvania Inspired Leaders or PIL, geared toward school and system leaders.

PIL is a statewide, standards-based comprehensive program  which is cohort-based program and focused on developing the capacity of leaders to improve student achievement.  

The program is offered by the Department of Education in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Intermediate Units and other partners at eight regional sites. Each of the eight sites is administered by a full-time PIL Regional Site Coordinator and supported by a Regional Advisory Committee.