Students at Moraine Elementary School will start the new school year with their former principal back at the helm.

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has ordered Slippery Rock Area School District to reinstate Kristie Shulsky as principal of Moraine Elementary School, according to a message posted to parents by superintendent Alfonso Angelucci on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

“The commonwealth court has ordered the district to reinstate Dr. Kristie Shulsky as the principal at Moraine Elementary School, pending its appeal of the secretary of education’s decision. The district will comply with the order,” Angelucci said.

The superintendent’s statement comes after the district appealed a decision from the state’s acting secretary of education, Carrie Rowe, to reinstate Shulsky, who had previously been terminated after facing accusations of misconduct, including of being intoxicated at work. Rowe deemed those accusations to be unfounded.

Shulsky had been terminated by the school board in a 9-0 decision on Jan. 13 after being placed on leave in April 2024.

Shawn Zappia was chosen as the new principal for Moraine Elementary in April 2025.

District officials had told parents in July that, while they would follow the state’s orders, they did not believe Shulsky had to be reinstated to the same position she left.

The district went on to appeal the secretary of education’s order at its Aug. 11 board meeting.

Rowe had previously said in her July 17 opinion that the district accused Shulsky of immorality, intemperance, cruelty and insubordination based on their investigation. In her opinion, Rowe said the district failed to prove any of the allegations against Shulsky were true.

Shulsky has also denied the allegations made against her via her attorney Steven Winslow and has sued the district for defamation.

The events surrounding Shulsky’s termination and subsequent reinstatement have previously led parents to speak out, expressing anger and disappointment over the board’s handling of the situation.

Shulsky and Zappia couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.