Montour has new superintendent

With his personal cheering section rooting him on, Michael Ghilani became superintendent of the Montour School District.

Mr. Ghilani, who joined the district in January, will continue in his role of deputy superintendent until July 1 when his five-year superintendent contract goes into effect at a salary of $157,500.

His cheerleaders at the April 23 meeting were his wife, Lauren, and daughters, Nora Davidovich, 6, and Nina Ghilani, 17 months. The family resides in South Fayette.

“With a few minor tweaks, we can put this district on the map,” Mr. Ghilani said. “There are a lot of good things happening here.”

Mr. Ghilani was promoted by an 8-0 vote. Duane Faith was absent.

He will replace acting superintendent Terrence Kushner, an educational consultant who was hired Jan. 22.

Mr. Ghilani came to Montour from the Upper St. Clair district where he was an administrator for 14 years and had been named 2013 High School Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals.

While a principal at Upper St. Clair, he worked with teachers and staff to audit and rewrite the high school curriculum, placing special emphasis on science, technology engineering and mathematics, adopting Pennsylvania Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science

Standards.

He now is on the Carnegie Science Center’s Chevron STEM Advisory Board and the STEM Excellence Pathway Committee.

“Dr. Ghilani has already put in place several academic and technology initiatives since he joined the district in January,” said Dean Caliguire, board president, in a news release.

“He is instilling a culture of collaboration and cooperation in the district, which is a priority of the new board leadership. We eagerly anticipate continued progress and innovation with Dr. Ghilani, the captain of the Montour ship.”

When he initially applied for the deputy superintendent position, he said he felt Montour was “a district with a lot of potential” and “thought it would be a good fit.” Three months later, he’s still liking the fit.

“The Montour School District is experiencing tremendous growth and change for the better. It’s important that an experienced and ambitious leader guides the district through this exciting time,” said Ira Weiss, district solicitor, in a news release.

Mr. Ghilani received his bachelor’s degree from Washington & Jefferson College and his master’s from the University of Pittsburgh. He also earned a doctorate in counseling and supervision from Duquesne University and his principal certification from Carnegie Mellon University.