SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Garrett Miller started his new job immediately after being hired Monday.

The Slippery Rock Area School District school board approved Miller as assistant principal of Slippery Rock Area High School at Monday's meeting, which was at the same time the district was having its open house. Miller went from the meeting directly to the school to meet students and parents.

“I'm most excited about the new people we brought on,” said district superintendent Alfonso Angelucci. “There is a lot of energy, a lot of passion.”

Angelucci said the district hired more people over the summer than usual, bringing on eight new teachers and an assistant principal in Miller.

He said the increase in hiring was caused by a number of staff members leaving the district, or in most cases this year, retiring. While the district had to up its hiring game in preparation for the upcoming school year, Angelucci applauded the board members for their input, as well as some students who played a role.

“We like to include students in the interview,” he said. “Let's see how you actually teach and how you talk to kids.”

The first day of school for Slippery Rock is Wednesday, and Angelucci said one of the major goals for the next few weeks is getting every student in the district their own laptop, which is part of the district's one-to-one technology initiative.

Angelucci said the $16 insurance fee for each laptop is a roadblock for some parents, but the district is able to assist families that need help.

Other than getting the one-to-one word out, Angelucci said the district is ready.

“All systems go,” he said after the meeting.

The board implemented the school district's health and safety plan for the upcoming year in July, making masks optional on campus grounds for the time being.