Next Hempfield high school principal says renovation project drew him to district

Hempfield Area’s multimillion-dollar high school renovation is bringing more than construction to the school.

The project was a “deciding factor” in David Palmer’s desire to be the district’s next high school principal. Palmer, current South Park High School principal, said he “thrives” in situations with uncertainty — such as construction projects.

“(The building) is going to be beautiful,” Palmer said. “Those years in between there will be tricky.”

The school board hired Palmer at its Dec. 7 meeting. He will begin at Hempfield immediately upon release from his current position, likely in January.

“I’m eager to get started and help the district move forward,” he said.

Palmer will replace Kathy Charlton, who retired.

District Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said Palmer was selected after an “extensive interview process.” In addition to working at South Park for seven years, he served as superintendent of Burgettstown Area School District in Washington County.

“These experiences will support a smooth transition and a successful start in supporting the initiatives and immediate needs of the high school, including the revitalization construction project,” Wolicki wrote via email. “We are excited to have Dr. Palmer as a member of the leadership team.”

The district decided in March to gut the 66-year-old high school and replace everything. Renovation is projected to cost between $97.4 million and $109.9 million, though inflation could cause costs to fluctuate.

Major changes on the horizon include moving the high school entrance, creating a new athletic wing, upgrading the exterior, relocating the science wing and adding more space to the cafeteria and arts wing.

During construction, the district plans to move ninth graders to the neighboring Harrold Middle School. Officials want to close Harrold as a middle school and permanently consolidate sixth, seventh and eighth grade students into the Wendover and West Hempfield middle schools beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, though officials have received pushback regarding this plan.

Palmer also will join the district amid an ongoing debate over Hempfield’s book policy. Some parents want the district to enact stricter policies to keep texts with sexual content out of the library and curriculum.

Wolicki and district solicitor Krisha DiMascio are developing a library book procurement plan for the board to consider. The policy would aim to ensure all books, regardless of message or cultural implications, are judged by the same standard of appropriateness.