Shaler Area School Board approves superintendent resignation

Shaler Area Superintendent Dr. Sean Aiken has officially submitted his resignation from the school district.

School board members approved the resignation in a 6-2 vote at the Jan. 16 school board meeting with James Fisher and Eileen Phillips voting no. Aiken has served as superintendent for the past eight years and will finish his contract in June with an annual salary of $176,512.

“In collaboration with our school board, educators, professional staff and our parents, we have cultivated a relentless focus on student-centered initiatives and school district culture, growing and learning together in the process,” Aiken said.

While his next steps are unknown, he assured board members and residents that he would help as much as he could as the district transitions to the next superintendent.

“This district is headed in a great direction, and I am proud to have been part of this story,” Aiken said. “I am grateful to have been a part of the Shaler Area School District for the past eight years and I will continue to hold this community in such a special place in my heart.”

Marzolf Primary music teacher Angela Evans attended the school board meeting online and expressed her appreciation for Aiken’s work.

“Thank you Dr. Aiken,” she said. “I have so enjoyed working with you. You have changed my life as a professional educator. That message of (members of the district) being seen, heard, known and loved – you made that real in this district.”