North Allegheny hires veteran city schools administrator for assistant superintendent post

Tony LaRussa | Thursday, July 18, 2019 10:59 a.m.

NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The North Allegheny school board voted unanimously July 17, 2019 to hire Melissa Friez as the district’s assistant superintendent of secondary education.

The North Allegheny school board has hired a veteran Pittsburgh Public Schools administrator to serve as the district’s assistant superintendent of secondary education.

The board voted unanimously at its July 17 meeting to appoint Melissa Friez to the post to replace David Christopher, who has taken a job as the superintendent for the Cumberland Valley School District in central Pennsylvania.

Friez has served as an assistant superintendent of student support services for PPS for the past five years. Prior to that she was an assistant superintendent of instructional leadership for city school system.

Fritz also was principal for nine years, including eight at Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill.

“Mrs. Friez’s experience will be an invaluable resource to North Allegheny as we continue to grow, provide innovative opportunities for our students and staff, and prepare all students for success in a changing world,” said NA Superintendent Robert Scherrer.

“Her familiarity and leadership in secondary education will be a great asset to the District and our administrative team. We’re looking forward to welcoming her at the beginning of the new school year in August,” Scherrer said.

Friez has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in secondary English education from Duquesne University and K-12 principal certification from Carlow University.

Friez received her superintendent’s letter of eligibility from Pitt, where she is working on her dissertation in pursuit of a doctorate in administrative and policy studies.