J-M principal hired as district superintendent
JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board has hired its high school principal to take over as district superintendent.
Joseph Orr, who’s been the district’s middle-senior high school principal for more than two years, will replace outgoing Superintendent Donna Furnier, who announced her retirement last month after serving in that position for 12 years.
Orr was hired on a five-year contract, effective July 1, with an annual salary of $110,000, during the school board’s April 18 meeting.
“I’ve been flattered to be considered for this position,” he said. “Especially knowing the size of the shoes Donna Furnier has left.”
Orr said the board approached him soon after Furnier gave her resignation and asked him if he was interested in becoming superintendent.
“I’m excited,” he said. “To be asked that question by the school board is very flattering and shows that they already have a trust in me. I want to live up to that and do a great job for them.”
Orr said in some other districts, he may not have been interested in becoming superintendent. Orr has been in a principal position for the past 16 years of his career – 12 of them as an assistant principal at Trinity Area School District, two as principal at Deer Lakes School District in Allegheny County and the past two years he’s been with Jefferson-Morgan. He said in those positions, much of his time was spent interacting with teachers, staff and students and he didn’t want to miss out on those opportunities to become a superintendent.
“Here at Jefferson-Morgan, because of the size of the district and the way the school board allows us to operate, I will be able to maintain those contacts with the faculty and students as superintendent,” he said. “And that’s something I enjoy.”
Orr said Furnier, whom he called his “mentor,” gave him her blessing in taking over the position.
“That means more to me than anything else,” he said. “I hope that I can emulate a lot of those qualities that she’s had. It has been such a pleasurable work experience here because everyone wants everyone else to be successful and for the district to be successful.”
Also during the meeting, the school board hired Assistant Principal Brandon Robinson to take over Orr’s position as the middle-senior principal. Robinson’s annual salary as principal will be $77,000, effective July 1.
Orr said the assistant principal position will be merged with the director of special education position, which has been vacant for two months. The district is accepting applications for the new combined position through this week. Orr said they have five applicants so far and will be conducting interviews next week.