SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — The Slippery Rock Area School Board took official action Monday, Aug. 11, to appeal a July order from the state’s acting secretary of education requiring the district to reinstate a previously terminated principal.

The board voted unanimously to file an appeal in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court seeking to reverse the order to reinstate Kristie Shulsky, the former principal of Moraine Elementary School who faced accusations, including being intoxicated at work, acting Secretary Carrie Rowe deemed unfounded.

According to Rowe’s July 17 opinion, the district accused Shulsky of immorality, intemperance, cruelty and insubordination based on their investigation. The opinion indicated a rumor she was intoxicated on the job spiraled to include other allegations. Shulsky’s attorney Steven Winslow previously said that the former principal denies the allegations.

“Among other things, the secretary found the evidence established Dr. Shulsky was not intoxicated at work,” he said. “The secretary also found that the school board violated the school code by voting to terminate Dr. Shulsky’s employment before hearing any evidence regarding the allegations.”

Winslow previously said that Shulsky is “ready, willing and able” to return to work.

At both outdoor office hours on July 23 and a previous school board meeting on July 28, district parents rallied to express their concern regarding Shulsky’s reinstatement and perceived failings of district officials.

The board issued a statement on the matter during the last school board meeting, where it said it would “be considering its options and next steps” in response to the order.

Shulsky was originally placed on leave on April 30, 2024, at which point, assistant superintendent Susan Miller took on her duties for the remainder of the school year. After the district listed allegations against Shulsky, her administrative leave was changed to a suspension.

She was terminated by the school board in a 9-0 decision on Jan. 13. Shawn Zappia was chosen as the principal for Moraine Elementary in April 2025.

District officials declined Monday to comment further on the soon-to-be ongoing appeal.