SR parents demand change over Shulsky’s return
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Parents and taxpayers were ready with prewritten statements and shirts reading “Moraine Matters” at the first Slippery Rock Area School Board meeting of the 2025-26 school year.
“The Commonwealth Court has ordered the district to reinstate Dr. Kristie Shulsky as the principal of Moraine Elementary School pending its appeal of the acting secretary of education’s decision. The district will comply with this order,” board president Diane Double said, reading a previously released statement before public comment.
The meeting on Monday night, Sept. 8, was the first since the beginning of the school year and, consequentially, Moraine Elementary School principal Kristie Shulsky’s return.
Shulsky served as principal of the school until April 2024, when she was placed on leave. The district conducted an investigation regarding accusations of misconduct, which led to the district accusing Shulsky of immorality, intemperance, cruelty and insubordination. She was terminated in a 9-0 decision Jan. 13.
However, acting Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe said in a July 17 opinion the district failed to prove any of the allegations against Shulsky were true, and any accusations of misconduct against her were unfounded. She ordered Shulsky reinstated.
While facing continuous pressure from parents, the board voted Aug. 11 to appeal the order. However, on Sept. 2, superintendent Alfonso Angelucci informed parents Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ordered the district to reinstate Shulsky as principal of Moraine Elementary.
Monday’s meeting, the first after Angelucci’s announcement, saw a dozen parents speak, mostly about Shulsky, and dozens more fill the room. As each parent finished his or her turn, a majority of people in the room applauded.
“Many of the staff posted on ParentSquare introducing themselves, welcoming students back, looking forward as much as we all could to the first day of school … with the exception of one,” Dale Hall, a parent, said. “The one who fought to be back when no one wanted it. Not one single communication, and she’s supposed to be the leader of our school?”
Many parents brought prewritten statements that called for some action from the board, primarily changing Shulsky’s position or putting her on paid leave. Some brought up her litigation against other employees of the district.
“While I recognize Dr. Shulsky’s right as an employee to be reinstated, this situation presents a significant potential conflict of interest,” Amanda Bonetti, another parent, said. “Staff may feel constrained or intimidated while being supervised by someone involved in ongoing legal proceedings. This could impact staff morale, the ability to work openly and, ultimately, the learning environment of our children.”
Robert Michaels, a parent of two Moraine Elementary students, said his children have had no problems with Shulsky in the past or present, but said “red flags” raised by other parents regarding Shulsky’s conduct had been present for years prior.
Rather than asking board members to do more, he instead asked them to ensure a situation like this does not happen again.
“You guys have to do a better job of putting into place who is in our schools,” Michaels said. “These are our kids. We pay school taxes. Now, we’re paying taxes for two principals.”
He continued by saying any teacher or administrator will have some parents complain, but when so many people had brought up Shulsky, more should have been done.
“When you have this many bad reviews on the same product, at some point in time, you have a bad product and nobody can disagree with it,” he said.
Before moving into action items, Double reread the previous statement to remind parents of the district’s current position, reiterating the district is complying with an order.
Shawn Zappia, the man chosen as the new principal for Moraine Elementary in April, officially was moved to a new role, K-12 principal of special services, during the action items. The vote passed 8-1, with Vito Pilosi’s being the sole vote against.
The next Slippery Rock Area School Board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22.
