JACKSON TWP - The Seneca Valley School Board Monday night filled four administrative positions, but only one is new.

That is Michelle Miller, who was hired as the new principal at Haine Middle School in Cranberry Township. Miller will take her place in the grades 5 and 6 middle school pending her release from Lincoln Junior-Senior High School in the Ellwood City School District, where she is assistant principal.

Prior to her two-year stint as assistant principal, Miller taught social studies for five years at Lincoln. She lives in Beaver Falls.

Miller earned her bachelor's degree and teaching certification from Chatham College. She received her master's degree and principal's certification from Duquesne University. She is working on her doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh.

Miller, who was named Educator of the Year by the Northwest Manufacturer's Association of Western Pennsylvania, will replace Melvin Steals, who retired at the end of this past school year.

The three assistant principal positions approved on Monday are teachers in the district.

Steven Smith will be assistant principal at Haine Elementary and Middle schools, which has students in kindergarten through 6th grade. Smith has been a fourth grade teacher at Haine Elementary for five years.

He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Slippery Rock University, his principal certification from Indiana (Pa.) University, and his doctorate from the University of Phoenix.

Michelle Ellis will be assistant principal at Seneca Valley Senior High School. Ellis has been an English and speech teacher at the intermediate school for six years.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University and her master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Ellis will be the second assistant principal at the senior high school.

Sean McCarty will be the assistant principal at the grade 7 and 8 middle school on the secondary campus. McCarty has taught special education in the district for eight years.

He earned his bachelor's degree and special education certification from Slippery Rock, and his principal certificate from University of Pittsburgh.

McCarty will replace Tracy Vitale, who is now principal at the middle school.