Plum School District’s chief financial officer will have a new job this summer.

John Zahorchak announced at the May 25 school board meeting that he will be stepping down from his administrative post to become a financial consultant in another community.

He declined to give further details about his next job. His last day at Plum is scheduled to be July 19.

“I always will think on my time here in Plum really fondly,” Zahorchak said after the meeting. “It was a tough job, but it was a rewarding job.”

Zahorchak, 43, said he plans to remain in the borough with his family.

“I’ll still be a taxpayer, and I’ll still have two kids in the school district,” he said.

After the announcement, the school board and Superintendent Brendan Hyland spoke about Zahorchak’s time with the district.

“John was a very big part of the success that we have had over the last four years,” Hyland said. “Sometimes the chief financial officer isn’t the most popular person in the world and sometimes has to deliver messages that are hard for people to hear, but necessary to hear. John did that with class.”

All were excited for Zahorchak’s future and sad to see a professional colleague go.

“He’s been extremely valuable at setting our goals for the future, saving us dollars for the now and really setting the direction financially, fiscally with our employees,” said board Vice President Mike Caliguiri. “That cannot be understated. We wish you the best of luck. We are looking forward to following your career and hopefully still continuing to work with and alongside you as you take on your future endeavors.”

Board member and finance chairman Joe Tommarello echoed those sentiments.

“I’m very sad to lose him and his skills and everything he brought to Plum,” Tommarello said. “Plum was facing multimillion dollar deficits in 2015 and 2016, and he was able to change this around.”

Tommarello said he anticipates the position to be posted very soon and to have someone hired before mid-July so Zahorchak can help with the transition.

Zahorchak was hired by the district as director of business affairs at a prorated salary of $98,000 in August 2016. His final salary in the district is $125,000.

Zahorchak moved to the borough from Johnstown and served as Greater Johnstown School District’s business manager from 2012 to mid-2016. He earned degrees in human resource management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials.

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