Apollo-Ridge superintendent to step down, take over as intermediate unit head

Apollo-Ridge School District Superintendent Matthew Curci is leaving his post at the end of the school year to take over as executive director of ARIN Intermediate Unit 28.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Curci said. “Apollo-Ridge is my home.”

Curci got the nod from the intermediate unit earlier this month.

The former executive director, Brigette Matson, died in September. Curci stepped into the role on an interim basis, serving a few hours a week.

“I found it was work I enjoyed doing,” he said. “It seems like a good next step at this point in my career.”

His salary will be no less than $150,000, the intermediate unit’s board determined.

Gregory Primm, president of the Apollo-Ridge School Board, said the district “certainly hates losing him,” but wished Curci well in his next endeavor. The two will continue to interact in some capacity, given that Apollo-Ridge falls within the intermediate unit.

In Armstrong County, the intermediate unit also covers the Armstrong School District, Freeport Area School District and Leechburg Area School District as well as Lenape Technical School. It encompasses seven districts in Indiana County.

Curci’s career in education began at the Apollo-Ridge School District. He started as a high school math teacher and, in 2012, became superintendent.

Along the way, he coached multiple varsity sports and served in three other administrative roles: elementary principal, assistant superintendent, and director of curriculum, instruction and assessment.

For those who will miss him, Curci offered assurances he’ll still be around as a district parent.

“This community is very special to me,” he said.