JEFFERSON TWP — The South Butler School District has a new superintendent.

The school board Wednesday night hired David Zupsic, assistant superintendent for the past year, as the district’s administrative leader effective Sept. 1.

In a statement, Zupsic said, “I am excited to work with such a great group of administrators, teachers and staff who are motivated to expand on programs and initiatives that prepare our students to live happy and successful lives.”

Zupsic, 44, will have a five-year contract with a starting salary of $130,000 per year.

He replaces Mike Leitera, who is becoming the superintendent at the Mohawk School District in Lawrence County. Leitera was promoted last year from assistant superintendent to superintendent at South Butler.

Before working at South Butler, Zupsic was a high school principal in the Beaver School District and an assistant principal at the Moon Area and Riverside school districts.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a master’s from Youngstown State University.

Zupsic is completing a doctoral dissertation at Youngstown State, which he anticipates to finish by December.

He lives in Beaver County with his wife and their two children.

The district will start a search for a new assistant superintendent.

South Butler has about 2,500 students.