Mar 27, 2019 2 min read

Belle Vernon Area School Board unanimously appointed Dr. Michele Dowell as the district’s new superintendent Monday.

Dowell was offered a five-year contract that will extend to March 24, 2024. Her salary for the 2019-20 school year will be $150,000.

Dowell thanked the board for appointing her as superintendent and pledged to work with each member to help the district achieve its goals.

“BVA has great people, and we can do a lot of great things by working together,” said Dowell, during the board’s monthly meeting at Belle Vernon Area Middle School. “Our first step is to decide what our common vision will be. Then we can move forward to accomplish our objectives.”

Dowell, who previously was principal of Marion Elementary for 10 years, served as acting superintendent the past 10 months, following the resignation of former superintendent Dr. John Wilkinson. Last month, Dowell was hired by Ringgold School District as director of curriculum but decided to stay at BVA when its school board offered her the superintendent position.

Various members of BVA’s school board voiced their support of Dowell, citing her commitment to providing the district’s students with a high-level of education.

“Despite the lack of early majority and some uncertainty in the community, I have felt that you were the most suited and qualified person to lead BVA, and I think that many people feel the same,” said Vice President Joe Grata, who participated in the meeting via a conference call. “You have brought about more positive change in the past 10 months than your predecessors accomplished the past several years.”

Added Director Dan Kovatch, “We felt Dr. Dowell was the district’s best option, and we are happy to welcome her back.”

The board also appointed Dr. Deidra Stepko as principal of Marion Elementary, at a salary of $87,500, effective immediately.