Leechburg Area School District appoints new superintendent

Leechburg Area’s David Leech Elementary School library had a buzz of excitement Wednesday night.

After months of uncertainty about leadership, the Leechburg Area School Board made the school district’s interim superintendent, David Keibler, its superintendent.

Keibler was appointed, 8-0. Director James Dunmire was absent.

The vote received an ovation from the audience.

Keibler will begin his five-year contract July 1 at a salary of $158,000.

Keibler has been serving as interim superintendent since February when previous interim superintendent, Peter D’Arcangelo, resigned before his first day on the job. D’Arcangelo cited trust issues in giving his resignation. D’Arcangelo had been appointed, 6-3, to replace Superintendent Tiffany Nix, who left in February after seven years to became an assistant superintendent in the Penn-Trafford School District.

That was the first of two times last year that a Leechburg Area administrator resigned to accept a lower-level position. The other was when Doug Rodgers left his role as middle and high school principal to return to teaching in the district this coming fall.

“I think it really goes back to the school board,” Keibler said in regard to persevering through the district’s recent turnover in administrative positions. “They’ve done a wonderful job of really coming together as a group of nine. As I stepped into the interim position, I became a 10th school board member.

“I’m here to work with them and give them the thoughts of what’s best for our district. I can’t commend them enough for really working together and working with me to be able to get things accomplished.”

Before his role as interim superintendent, Keibler was principal of David Leech Elementary School. This is the eighth year he’s been with the district.

“I want to continue down the path we’re on now,” Keibler said. “I was fortunate enough to be here the last eight years and understand the processes, the plans, what works and what wasn’t working.”

He said that in his role as interim superintendent, he believes that the district has made some great improvements all around and hopes to continue that progress.

With more than 20 years in public education, Keibler has served the Aliquippa, Freeport Area, Moniteau, Knoch, South Butler County and Leechburg Area school districts in a variety of ways, ranging from teaching to administration.