Aug 27, 2025 By Karen Mansfield 4 min read

When classes started in the Uniontown Area School DIstrict on Tuesday, longtime superintendent Dr. Charles Machesky wasn’t there to greet students, teachers, and staff members.

Machesky is retiring from the school district after 50 years as an educator and administrator, including the past 23 as superintendent.

He will serve as superintendent emeritus until April 2026, and Dr. Daniel Bosnic, who has served as assistant to the superintendent, has been tapped to serve as the district’s superintendent.

It’s time, Machesky said.

His passion for teaching hasn’t changed, but education has.

“(Tuesday) was the first time in 50 years I wasn’t a teacher, special education director, principal, coach, or superintendent, my phone didn’t ring, I didn’t have to worry about what buses didn’t show up,” said Machesky, 71. “It was a productive and fulfilling career. But I’ve started to slow down and things in education are speeding up. You have AI, budget issues, dropping enrollments and other challenges, and those things I won’t miss. But I’ll miss the daily interactions with the staff and students. That was always the highlight of my career – seeing students earn success, and the daily operations of the schools.”

Machesky is a lifelong resident of Uniontown. He grew up in a working class family, graduated from Uniontown Area High School, and served as mayor for eight years.

Machesky started teaching special education in 1974 at Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, at a time when his friends were heading to the coal mine and steel mills, earning more than twice as much as he did.

But Machesky viewed education as a vocation, not a job.

He taught for 17 years,until he was hired as a principal in the Uniontown district. He served as principal for six years before he was tapped as the district’s first supervisor of special education. Four years later, he was named superintendent. He also served as a wrestling coach and football coach.

Since 2012, Machesky has worked for free, surrendering his former $122,000 paycheck.

It is estimated Machesky’s selfless decision to work as an unpaid superintendent has saved the school district more than $2 million, which the economically disadvantaged district has used for more technology, upgraded facilities and equipment, and textbooks.

“I never looked back once when I gave up that salary. I’ve been comfortable with that decision,” said Machesky, whose wife and three daughters also graduated from Uniontown Area High School. “I have a strong affection for the district, and it was an honor for me to be able to give back to the Uniontown Area School District.”

Bosnic praised Machesky for his leadership and dedication.

“Dr. Machesky has left a profound impact on our school district. He has a great sense of our school community,” said Bosnic. “He understands our traditions and what makes our district so special. He played a huge part in that. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from him for so many years.”

Machesky said he is looking forward to his retirement.

He and his wife, Mary, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, plan to spend more time with their three daughters and four grandchildren, who all live in or are relocating to Charlotte, N.C.

He also serves as subdeacon at St. George Maronite Church in Uniontown.

“My children and my grandchildren will keep me busy, and I’m looking forward to that,” said Machesky. “My wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, and only 6% of marriages reach 50 years, and that has been great. I’ve had some great personal and professional things happen in my life. I’ve lived a great life.”

Machesky said he is proud that five of the school district’s administrators have earned doctorates, and the district provides tuition reimbursement for administrators and educators – a way to attract and keep quality candidates.

He also especially enjoyed graduation ceremonies.

“I looked forward to graduation every year, and I saw at least l0 or 11 classes from kindergarten through high school come through. To hear where they were going to school and what they were going to do with their lives was rewarding,” said Machesky.

During his tenure, Machesky worked to foster relationships with students, parents, staff, and school board members.

“It has been a collegial effort to make things function well, and I was able to do it for so long because of a great support system,” said Machesky. “We were able to accomplish a lot of great things, but now it’s time for me to slow down and just enjoy life a little bit more, and that’s what I’m going to do.”