New Mars superintendent starts July 1
ADAMS TWP — Wesley Shipley will start as the new Mars School District superintendent on July 1.
He was approved 9-0 Tuesday night by the school board.
His four-year contract has a starting salary of $155,000.
Shipley said he looks forward to working in Mars because it is a progressive school district.
“To continue that is a very exciting venture for me,” he said.
Shipley was promoted from assistant superintendent to superintendent at the Shaler School District in 2011. His salary at Shaler is $143,877.
The Shaler budget is $74 million, and the district has 4,500 students and 575 employees.
The Mars budget is $43.5 million, and it has 3,257 students and 319 employees.
“On behalf of the school board, please accept our very sincere congratulations and a very warm welcome to our Mars School District family,” said board President Dayle Ferguson.
She said William Pettigrew will continue as acting superintendent until the end of June, and will serve in a short-term leadership transition role at the beginning of the school year in the fall.
Victor Morrone, a consultant hired by the district for $14,000 to lead the search for a superintendent, said he received 35 applications for the job.
“Many of them are current superintendents of some large school districts, so that speaks well of us here at Mars,” Morrone said.
He said as the process of elimination proceeded, it became apparent that Shipley was the best candidate for the position.
“As a resident, I’m elated about (Shipley’s hire) as well,” Morrone said.
Ferguson thanked the board members and Pettigrew for their hard work in the long process of filling the district’s top job.
Shipley pointed out that the board members each spent hours on the process.
“That really allowed all of us to go into this with our eyes wide open,” Shipley said.
Ferguson told Shipley Tuesday night: “We look forward to working with you to build upon our strong foundation, to continue our tradition of excellence, and to shape the future of our proud and growing school district.”
Shipley replaces Jim Budzilek, who left the district after one year.
