New Kensington-Arnold superintendent receives raise, statewide award
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New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck received his first raise the same night it was announced that he won a statewide award.
The school board approved a 2.5% pay increase for Sefcheck on Tuesday, shortly after getting word that he had been chosen to receive an Education Innovation Award from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
The board voted to hire Sefcheck in April 2021, and he started as superintendent July 1. His starting salary was $135,000.
A 2.5% increase adds $3,375 to his pay, taking his salary to $138,375.
When board member John Cope asked if 2.5% is enough, board President Tim Beckes said that was a good question.
Beckes thanked Sefcheck for his efforts.
“We are on our way to being where we want to be,” he said.
The board’s vote to increase Sefcheck’s pay came after board member Sarah Yurga announced the association had chosen him as the recipient of this year’s Innovative School Leader Award. It is one of three Education Innovation Awards recognizing leaders in public schools; the others go to a school board member and a teacher.
PSBA started the awards in 2017. Sefcheck is the first recipient of any of the awards from the Alle-Kiski Valley.
The awards will be presented at the Excellence in Public Education Leadership dinner at the PSBA annual school leadership conference Oct. 30 at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in the Poconos.
The Innovative School Leader Award recognizes a superintendent, assistant superintendent, curriculum supervisor or building level administrator who has demonstrated an innovative approach to leading their district, building or program.
“I am extremely honored to receive this award with so many innovators in our profession. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by excellent educators and a supportive board that share our vision of taking NKA to the next level and beyond,” Sefcheck said. “I couldn’t ask for a better environment with the board, personnel, and support. This award wouldn’t be possible without the administration and teachers willing to take risks and try new and different things.”
Yurga said she worked with fellow board member Jane Graham and Tyler Roberto, principal of Roy A. Hunt Elementary School, in nominating Sefcheck for the recognition.
“There are many words to describe Dr. Sefcheck and the impact he has had on the New Kensington-Arnold School District, but none seems to fit as much as ‘innovative,’ ” Yurga said. “The three of us were beyond thrilled when I received the call that the PSBA recognized what we already knew, that Dr. Chris Sefcheck and his innovative ideas are bringing positive changes to the New Kensington-Arnold School District.”
In nominating Sefcheck, Yurga said they noted that he designed personalized professional development opportunities for staff that ensured they could work at their own pace and levels of understanding. Veteran administrators also have been given professional development opportunities they never had before his arrival.
Most importantly, they said Sefcheck makes people — parents, students, teachers, administrators, board members and employees — feel seen, appreciated and respected. In a world where public opinion of the district is low, they said he is growing its pride from within.
“That, at the core, is why I believe NKASD is heading in the right direction,” Yurga said. “It is my opinion that we spent many years treading water, but Dr. Sefcheck handed us a life jacket, taught us some swim strokes and pointed us in the right direction of the finish line.
“Now we swim.”