Fox Chapel Area superintendent gets new 5-year contract, starting at $237,000

Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac is expected to continue leading the district for the next five years.

School board members unanimously approved a new contract with the top administrator Feb. 12.

Reljac was hired by Fox Chapel Area in the summer of 2020 after she served for about seven years as Franklin Regional School District’s assistant superintendent. Her original four-year contract was set to expire June 30.

Her new salary starting July 1 is $237,000 with 2.5% annual wage increases, according to the agreement.

Her health care contributions start at 12% the cost of medical premiums. Monthly maximums will increase each year of the contract.

“I am humbled that the board has entrusted me to continue in this role, and I look forward to serving the students, staff, families and greater community of the Fox Chapel Area School District,” Reljac said. “As we move forward with our strategic vision, we will do our best to help students grow in the district’s four pillars to success: purpose, passion, care and community.

“As a longtime resident of this community, I am proud and honored to continue to help our district grow and move forward, and serve in this very special place.

Reljac lives in Aspinwall with her husband, Jason, a manager in the technology group at Schneider Downs & Co.

Part of the resume

Reljac is a member of several organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Pennsylvania Association of Federal Programs Coordinators.

She has more than 18 years of administrative experience and also served as a middle school general music and choral teacher in the Hempfield Area School District.

She received her superintendent letter of eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and her doctorate of education from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016.

Board members took turns commending Reljac for her service. School director Eric Hamilton said she did an outstanding job navigating the district through the pandemic.

“We’ve really been through a lot in that four years,” Hamilton said. “We were elected just before you joined us, and none of us could have anticipated what we would go through. It’s been a pleasure working with you, and it’s challenging (leading) a district this size (with) a nine-member board that doesn’t always agree on things. I appreciate your patience.”

Fox Chapel Area has about 4,200 students and 350 teachers.

Board President Marybeth Dadd said everyone looks forward to the next five years.

“I am pleased that the board can offer this contract to Dr. Reljac,” Dadd said. “She has worked tirelessly for the students of this district, and I know that work will continue over the next five years. Dr. Reljac’s commitment to this community has been unparalleled and much appreciated by the school board.”

Reljac also has the support from the teachers union.

Rachel Machen, president of the Fox Chapel Educators Association, shared a personal note about Reljac after the board vote.

“I was new to my role as president-elect of FCEA in your first year as superintendent with the pandemic,” Machen said. “We definitely worked closely together over the last three and a half years. I greatly respect your commitment to our district, your empathy, your authenticity and your willingness to listen to and work with us to address teachers’ concerns.”

Other personnel moves

The board also unanimously approved a variety of other personnel moves.

It accepted the retirements of high school physical education teacher James Angelo, district French teacher Pamela Barentine, Dorseyville Middle School Latin teacher Diana DeCamp, middle school art teacher Cheryl Etters, high school math teacher Susan Farino, Hartwood Elementary librarian Kirsten Moller, high school art teacher Mary Jo Montgomery, middle school social studies teacher Debra Skiles and high school English teacher Julie Susser.

All of the aforementioned retirements are effective at the end of June.

The board accepted the resignations of middle school cheerleading coach Rebecca Stefanyak, effective Feb. 8.

Erin Rebish was appointed high school nurse.

Karrie Daniels was hired as a high school custodian. Kristin Correll was hired as a personal care assistant at O’Hara Elementary, and Jessica Shannon was approved as a mentor teacher at the middle school.