New director hired at vo-tech
BUTLER TWP — Kurt Speicher is the new director of the Butler County Vocational Technical School.
But Speicher, 50, of Butler is not new to the school. He has been the principal and assistant director for five years.
He was named director Thursday night by the school’s joint operating committee.
Starting July 1, he will replace Dom Ionta, who has been the acting director since March when he was appointed after Joe Cunningham resigned.
Speicher was hired on a three-year contract at a salary of $100,000 per year.
Previously he was a teacher for 15 years at the Crawford County Career and Technical Center and was an administrator at the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center.
Speicher said, “I am very excited to carry on the tradition started by Dr. Cunningham. It’s a great opportunity to provide to students of Butler County the chance to continue development, education and find employment.”
Cunningham was the director for more than 23 years and retired in March because of health reasons.
During his tenure, Cunningham oversaw an $8.3 million renovation and expansion project that was completed in 2012.
He was also the focus of controversy in 2011 when he was granted a 30-day medical leave to enter an alcohol rehabilitation facility.
Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV did a search for the new director at no cost to the school.
Ten people applied for the director’s position, and the final decision was a tough one, said Committee Chairman John Conrad.
“(Speicher) stood clearly above all but one of the candidates. He nosed her out in his experience. It was a tough call,” Conrad said.
Working at the school for several years was seen as an asset for Speicher, especially for the transition period.
“He will be able to hit the ground running,” Conrad said.
With Speicher’s promotion, the committee must now search for his replacement. There is a July 6 deadline for applications.
The committee expects to name a new principal and assistant director on July 31, Conrad said.
Also at the meeting, the committee picked Alfonso Angelucci, superintendent of the Slippery Rock School District, to be the school’s superintendent of record for the next year. He will take over for Tracy Vitale, superintendent of the Seneca Valley School District, who previously held that position.
The joint operating committee is composed of members of the seven school districts which sends students to the vo-tech.
There are about 900 students at the vo-tech at the same campus as Butler Senior High School. The vo-tech has programs such as automotive technology, building construction, cosmetology, health assistant and culinary arts.
