TyNotes
A Publication of the Tyrone Area School District
Vol. 12, Issue 3
www.tyrone.k12.pa.us
Spring 2013
The Search for the Next
Superintendent of Schools
By Richard Merryman, Feature Writer
Mr. John Gaunt
Mr. William Raker
Mr. Frank Haiston
Mr. Willis Eisenhart
Dr. Norman Miller
Dr. William Miller
1913—1917
1917—1918
1918—1921
1921—1939
1939—1971
1971—2013
A
t their Tuesday evening meeting on January 15,
2013, the Tyrone Area School Board heard this
message from Dr. William Miller – “Effective June 30,
2013, I announce my intention to conclude my 42-year
career as superintendent of the Tyrone Area School
District.” With that announcement, the nine members of
the Tyrone Area School Board girded themselves for a
monumental task – to choose Tyrone’s new educational
leader for the inevitable challenges that lie ahead. From
1843, the words from Charles Dickens’ novel Great
Expectations echo some advice for those charged with
the duty of selecting a new school superintendent –
“Take nothing on its looks.
Take everything on
evidence. There’s no better rule!” Without a doubt, as
the board search for the next Tyrone school
superintendent unfolds, Examples, Expectations,
Examinations, and Explorations will energize board
efforts to seek just the right leader for this rural central
Pennsylvania school district of 1,925 Students, 138
Teachers, and 165 Support Staff.
Examples of Six Tyrone Superintendents
Across 100 Years
As Tyrone’s superintendent search commences, board
members and everyday citizens in the Tyrone School
District have the luxury to review examples of six school
superintendents who have served Tyrone’s educational
community over the past one hundred years – from
1913 until 2013.
1913 to 1917 – Mr. John Gaunt
In 1913, the people of Tyrone elevated charismatic
Tyrone Principal John Leonard Gaunt to become Tyrone
school superintendent and to reside on the second floor
of the high school business annex. A graduate of
Columbia Teachers’ College in New York City, while he
served as school superintendent, Mr. Gaunt advised the
speech team, directed the glee club, coached the
basketball team, instituted art and carpentry classes,
purchased a record player, and acquired a new Mason
and Hamlin grand piano for the 336-seat high school
(Continued on page 2)
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Tyrone Area School District
Home of the Golden Eagles
Soaring Forward
to Explore,
Challenge,
and Succeed
It is the policy of the Tyrone Area
School District not to discriminate on
the basis of sex, handicap, race and
national origin in its educational and
vocational programs, activities, or
employment as required by Title IX,
Section 504, and Title VI. Please
direct questions about this policy to
Dr. William Miller, Superintendent of
Schools, at 814.684.0710, Extension
4123.
(Continued from page 1)
auditorium. Almost without warning, in May 1917, Mr.
Gaunt departed to train as a Navy Captain at New
York’s Fort Niagara. From there, Gaunt sailed off in
August of 1917, to defend America in World War I.
1917 to 1918 – Mr. William Raker
In the autumn of 1917, Tyrone board members elected
hard-working Tyrone High Principal Mr. William Raker to
replace Mr. Gaunt as their new Tyrone school
superintendent. A former mathematics teacher, Mr.
Raker had served as Tyrone basketball team manager.
As male teachers departed for World War I, and as the
influenza epidemic claimed countless lives, school
morale and discipline plummeted.
Regretfully,
deteriorating morale and discipline shortened Mr.
Raker’s tenure as Tyrone school superintendent to one
year.
1918 to 1921 – Mr. Frank Haiston
Upon the departure of Mr. Raker as Tyrone school
superintendent, Mr. Frank Haiston inherited the
thankless task of resurrecting Tyrone schools from the
despair and despondency inflicted by World War I and
the influenza epidemic. Although Mr. Haiston inspired
few educational initiatives, he thankfully managed to
guide the Tyrone School District through troubled times
with a still small voice of calm.
1921 to 1939 – Mr. Willis Eisenhart
In the autumn of 1921, Mr. Willis Eisenhart arrived from
Clarion, Pennsylvania, to become Tyrone’s next chief
school administrator. From 1921 until his retirement in
1939, Mr. Eisenhart inspired the Tyrone educational
community to improve course curricula and teacher
training, to erect a new junior high school and Tyrone
High’s first gymnasium, and to build Gray Memorial Field
in 1933 with lights for nighttime playing added in 1938.
Of course, from 1932 until 1939, many of Mr. Eisenhart’s
excellent accomplishments were darkened by the
What’s Inside
2013 Commencement Speaker ..................................... 5
TASD Retirements ......................................................... 6
Class of 1963 Celebrating 50th Reunion ..................... 10
Who’s New ................................................................... 11
TASD Needs Assessment Survey ............................... 11
2013-14 School Calendar ............................................ 12
2013-14 Cafeteria Prices ............................................. 12
shadow of The Great Depression, which all but
overwhelmed the School District financially.
1939 to 1971 – Dr. Norman Miller
Upon the retirement of Mr. Willis Eisenhart in 1939, the
Tyrone School Board called a Bellwood native named
Norman Miller to become Tyrone’s next chief school
administrator. Even as he arrived from The Shanksville/
Stoneycreek Schools, in nearby Somerset County, the
Tyrone School Board charged Dr. Norman with the duty
of lifting the heavy building debt, which had burdened the
school district during The Great Depression. Dr. Miller
established vocational education in 1940, kindergarten in
1944, the high school cafeteria in 1945, special
education in 1946, and driver education in the 1950s.
Later in his career, Dr. Miller masterminded the building
of Oak Ridge, Logan, and Adams Elementary Schools in
the 1950s, as well as a new state-of-the-art high school
in 1961. Most gratifying of all, when Dr. Norman Miller
departed for retirement in 1971, he left this legacy to
Tyrone taxpayers – a school district distinguished by
new buildings and no debt.
1971 to 2013 – Dr. William Miller
In July of 1971, the Tyrone School Board elected
Dr. Norman Miller’s only son – William – to follow in his
father’s footsteps as superintendent of Tyrone schools.
A 1959 graduate of Tyrone High, he returned to Tyrone
schools from Shippensburg University in 1963. Dr. Bill
subsequently served as teacher of history, business
manager, assistant superintendent, and ultimately
Tyrone school superintendent from 1971 to 2013.
During his 42-year tenure as school superintendent,
William Miller initiated a nationally acclaimed preschool
program, consolidated six aging elementary schools into
one state-of-the-art elementary school campus in 1999,
opened a new middle school in 2006, remodeled Gray/
Veterans Football Field in 2001, and eventually
inaugurated a new era in Tyrone vocational education in
(Continued on page 3)
Tyrone Area School District
Board of Education
James B. Crawford, President
Brian L. Bressler, Vice President
Cynthia S. Banas, Paula A. Dorminy, William P. Hartsock,
Reverend Norman E. Huff, Luther J. Laird,
James E. Raabe, Amy L. Stever
Administration
Dr. William N. Miller, Superintendent of Schools;
Leslie A. Estep, Director of Curriculum & Instruction PreK-12;
Cathy L. Harlow, Business Administrator;
Kourtney L. Klock, School Psychologist;
Thomas R. Muir, Physical Plant Supervisor;
Thomas A. Yoder, High School Principal;
Kristen N. Pinter, Middle School Principal;
Melissa K. Russell, Elementary School Principal;
Glen A Drager, Network Administrator
Deans of Students
Michael F. McKee-ES; Lindsay N. Miksich-MS; Lucas D. Rhoades-HS
Page 2 / Tyrone Area School District . . . Soaring Forward to Explore, Challenge, and Succeed
(Continued from page 2)
productive partnership with the Greater Altoona Career
and Technology Center in 2012. As Dr. Bill’s tenure as
superintendent draws to a close, it mirrors that of his
father Dr. Norman in at least one of two ways—the
Tyrone Area School District finds itself with newer
buildings and virtually no debt. During Dr. Bill’s tenure
as school superintendent, the Tyrone schools also have
exhibited exceedingly high levels of student
achievement in a community where 47% of the families
are designated as low income.
Expectations Energize Tyrone’s
Search for Superintendent
Less than a month after Dr. William Miller announced
his retirement intentions in January of 2013, the school
board entered a $6,000 contract with the Pennsylvania
Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS) to
oversee a superintendent search for the Tyrone School
District. In a matter of weeks, this newly appointed
Association initiated two vital tasks – first, they surveyed
the citizens of Tyrone to gather their great expectations
about a new superintendent; second, they searched the
state of Pennsylvania for qualified superintendent
candidates.
To accomplish their educational mission, from February 15,
2013, until March 22, 2013, PARSS circulated a
superintendent advertisement across Pennsylvania to
locate people gifted with those talents, tendencies, and
training required to effectively lead a rural central
Pennsylvania school district such as Tyrone, amidst these
troubling times. That month-long, statewide advertisement
garnered seven superintendent applications for Tyrone’s top
educational position.
Even as the superintendent advertisement circulated
throughout the state of Pennsylvania, a separate survey
prepared by PARSS to invite the citizens and taxpayers
of the Tyrone community to offer their insights about
expectations they might have for their next school
superintendent, was placed on the district’s website. In
an effort to encourage community participation, the
survey was advertised on the district’s website, on local
radio, in local newspapers, and via telephone to all
parents of children enrolled in the district.
From a district community which boasts a total
population of over 13,000 in Blair, Centre, and
Huntingdon Counties, hundreds of people responded to
the Tyrone Superintendent Survey. From all of these
surveys, the Tyrone School Board compiled these ten
expectations:
1) Communicates effectively with students, staff, board,
and the community.
2) Commits to the importance of both academic and
student activity programs.
3) Believes strongly in “a student first” philosophy in all
decisions.
4) Inspires trust, self-confidence, integrity, and
optimism.
5) Maintains excellent people skills and presents a
positive image of the district.
6) Demonstrates the ability to enhance student
performance and achievement.
7) Establishes on-going improvement goals for the
school district.
8) Exhibits experience in management of school district
resources and in the knowledge of sound financial
procedures.
9) Remains informed about educational issues at both
the state and the national levels.
10) Stays informed and knowledgeable about sound
school fiscal practices.
Examination/Interview Committee Assembled
by Tyrone School Board
Once the Tyrone folks had enumerated their ten
expectations about a future school superintendent, the
Tyrone School Board assembled people from all walks
of school and community life, and charged them with the
duty of serving on an Examination/Interview Committee
to carefully explore the talents, tendencies, and training
of the seven candidates who in March of 2013, had
answered the statewide call to become Tyrone’s future
superintendent.
After much deliberation, the Tyrone School Board
decided to include individuals from these four diverse
groups as members of the Examination/Interview
Committee:
1) Elementary Grade-Level Chairs, Middle School
Team Leaders, High School Department Chairs
2) Tyrone Area Education Association Officers, Tyrone
Area Educational Support Professional Officers,
Parent Teacher Organization Officers, Renaissance
Co-Chairs, Guidance Counselors
3) Board Recommended Community Members
4) Tyrone Area School District Administration
After assembling names of individuals from these
diverse groups, Tyrone School Board members
selected three people to represent each of the first
three groups at random.
Several district
administrators were included on the Committee. To
make
it
abundantly
clear,
School
Board
Vice-President, Brian Bressler, literally pulled names
from a hat, in order to ensure that the folks serving on
the Examination/Interview Committee had been
chosen at random.
Exploration Interviews of
Seven Superintendent Candidates
After people from each of the diverse groups had been
selected and had consented to serve, the Tyrone School
Board invited them to participate in two interview
sessions on Friday, April 19, and Friday May 3, 2013.
Staged in the school board room of the elementary
school, these two sessions lasted from 6:00 P.M. until
approximately 9:30 P.M. Although Tyrone School Board
(Continued on page 4)
Spring 2013 / Page 3
(Continued from page 3)
members observed these interview sessions, members
of the committee chosen by the school board – not
Tyrone School Board members – conducted both of the
interview sessions and questioned the seven
superintendent candidates.
Each of the seven superintendent candidates received
invitations to meet with this Examination/Interview
Committee for approximately one hour. During these
one hour conferences, members of the committee had
the opportunity to examine the talents, tendencies, and
training of each of the seven candidates who had
expressed a desire to accept the challenge to lead
Tyrone’s educational community in the coming years as
school superintendent.
The seven superintendent
candidates, consisting of both male and female
applicants, ranged in age from mid-forties to earlysixties. At the time of these interviews, each of them
held administrative positions in Allegheny, Blair, Butler,
Lancaster, and Perry Counties in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
On Friday evenings, April 19 and May 3, as the seven
one hour interviews unfolded, members of the school
district Examination/Interview Committee posed
questions to these candidates about Educational
Leadership, School District Fiscal or Financial Policy,
Personnel Management, Relationships With School
Board and Community Citizens, as well as Ethical
Leadership.
After each question, the committee
provided ample opportunity for each candidate to offer
responses to the questions that had been posed. Using
this tried and true technique, the interviewers sought to
explore the talent, tendencies, and training of each of
the seven superintendent candidates.
Depending upon the candidate responses, sometimes
school district interviewers posed follow-up exploration
questions. All the while, members of the Tyrone School
Board listened quietly and absorbed thoughtfully what
each of the candidates had said—and not said. On
Thursday, May 16, in second round interviews with the
applicants, Tyrone School Board members had ample
opportunity to follow-up on concerns they had about
what they had heard, as well as to ask their own
personally crafted exploratory questions of the selected
finalists.
Once the I’s were dotted and the T’s were crossed in the
interviewing process, at an advertised Special Session,
at 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in the board
room of Tyrone Elementary School, the Tyrone School
Board met and elected Ms. Cathy L. Harlow as the next
superintendent of the Tyrone Area Schools, to
succeed Dr. William Norman Miller, who has just
completed a 42-year tenure as Tyrone School
Superintendent. At the present time, Ms. Harlow is
business administrator for the Tyrone Area School
District. Prior to her election as Tyrone's new school
superintendent on May 28, 2013, Ms. Harlow had
served as Tyrone's business administrator for the past
eighteen years—since August of 1994. From 1991 to
1994, she served as business administrator for the
Huntingdon Area School District. Before becoming
involved in school district administration, Ms. Harlow
worked
as
a
senior
accountant
for
the
Altoona accounting firm of Young, Oakes, Brown, and
Company.
Following her graduation from Huntingdon Area High
School in 1981, Ms. Harlow pursued a Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Business Administration from Thiel
College in Greenville, Pennsylvania—halfway between
Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Ohio. During the last several
years, Ms. Harlow has prepared carefully for a career in
educational leadership. In 2009, she achieved her
Principal Certification and Superintendent Letter of
Eligibility from Penn State University. In 2011, she
earned her Master’s Degree in Education Leadership,
also from Penn State. In addition, she has completed all
coursework for her Doctorate in Education Leadership
at Penn State and is currently working on her
dissertation. During these years, Ms. Harlow carefully
and frequently observed classes of all age and ability
levels taught in the Tyrone Area School System. In the
autumn of 2012, she worked as a substitute teacher in
the Business Department of the Tyrone Area High
School.
A century has passed since the spring of 1913, when a
charismatic Tyrone coach, musician, orator, and
vocational and artistic innovator named John Leonard
Gaunt found himself appointed to the position of Tyrone
school superintendent, even as World War I burned its
way across Europe. A century later, as wars and
rumors of wars still haunt the earth, the clouds of
frightening educational/financial storms gather on the
horizon. We recognize that a new era of educational
leadership soon seems destined to dawn over central
Pennsylvania. In central Pennsylvania alone, during the
spring and summer of 2013, at least six schools in this
geographic area already have chosen or will choose
new superintendents. More specifically, when the 20132014 school term opens next autumn, Altoona,
Hollidaysburg, Bald Eagle Area, Philipsburg, and West
Branch, along with the Tyrone Area School District, will
find themselves under the direction of new school
superintendents.
As June unfolds, and school boards across central
Pennsylvania breath a sigh of relief that they have
elected a host of new school superintendents, the voice
of Winston Churchill returns to counsel them with this
wisdom—"Certainly, this is not the end. Neither is it the
beginning of the end. Rather, it is the end of the
beginning. Now more than ever, this is not the time
for ease and comfort. Instead, it is the time to dare
and to endure!"
Page 4 / Tyrone Area School District . . . Soaring Forward to Explore, Challenge, and Succeed
Tyrone School Board Selects
Dr. William N. Miller, Superintendent of Schools,
to Deliver 2013 Commencement Address
A
t their bi-monthly meeting on March 12, 2013, manure and polished shoes. As a teenager, he
the Tyrone School Board voted unanimously to mowed lawns, shoveled snow, painted houses,
select Tyrone Superintendent and 1959 Tyrone served as a lifeguard, worked on the labor gang at
Graduate Dr. William Miller to deliver the principal Westvaco, and delivered movies for the Wilson
address to the Class of 2013, at commencement Movie Theatre.
ceremonies, slated for 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday,
June 5, 2013. Given the fact that, in the months to Of course, a noble purpose is nothing without
come, Dr. Miller will close out a career in education preparation – of which Dr. Bill had plenty. During
that has stretched across a half
his high school years, he participated in
century, it comes as little surprise that
Key Club, school newspaper, Future
the Tyrone School Board might expect
Teachers of America, as well as school
he would have something to say.
choir and basketball. Then it was off to
Certainly, Dr. Bill is no stranger to the
Shippensburg State College, where he
speaking stage. Fifty-four years ago,
earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History
on June 3, 1959, he stepped onto the
Education by 1963. Once he returned
stage at Tyrone’s Wilson Theatre to
to Tyrone, during the school year, Bill
deliver “The Farewell Address” to his
Miller taught history and English at
fellow Seniors in the Class of 1959.
Tyrone Area High School. Then, during
Vividly, Dr. Miller recalled situations
the summers, he pursued both masters
surrounding that speech. Reflected
and doctorate degree studies at a
Miller, “My School Superintendent
number of America’s most prestigious
William N. Miller, Ed.D.
Father Norman Miller insisted that I had
colleges – Penn State University,
to memorize the talk, so that I could
Chicago
University,
New
York
maintain eye contact with the audience. Tyrone High University, and the Graduate School of Education at
English Teacher and Speech Coach Miss Sair Harvard University. Study at these four universities
MacDowell insisted that I enunciate all the words during the summer and teaching at Tyrone High
properly. And my Mother Catherine insisted that I during the school year both helped to prepare Dr.
practice – in the house, on the back porch, even Miller for the formidable task which lay ahead of him
down by the stream that flowed gently along the – serving as Tyrone School Superintendent for 42
backyard boundary of our home at 414 West Fifth years. And we almost forgot, Dr. Miller was a
Street. A half century later, as Tyrone Graduation kindergarten scholar at Tyrone’s Washington School
2013 draws near on June 5, 2013, Dr. Miller’s during the 1946—1947 school year, when
lifelong Purpose, Preparation, Perseverance, and kindergarten was just over one year old in The
Passion all will combine to guarantee he will have Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
something to say to Graduates.
Purpose and preparation can evaporate into the
From his days at Tyrone High School, Dr. Bill kept mists of history without the character quality of
few secrets about his purpose in Life. On page 59 perseverance, a trait that Dr. Bill has practiced both
of his 1959 Falcon Yearbook, he clearly articulated as a teacher and a superintendent for well nigh onto
his life purpose when he wrote – “Bill Miller wants to half a century. Although Bill Miller inherited a debt
follow in his father’s footsteps, and to enter the free school district from his Superintendent Father
teaching and the school administration professions.” Dr. Norman Miller in 1971, still he did not inherit a
Growing up with his Tyrone Superintendent Father problem free school district. From the earliest years
Norman, German Born Mother Catherine, and older of his administrative tenure, Dr. Miller has had to
sister Virginia, Bill recognized early on that to declare persevere in encouraging both students and
an
interest
in school teaching and school teachers toward high levels of achievement, despite
administration as a life purpose required a solid work the presence of so many Tyrone families who exist
(Continued on page 10)
ethic. And work he did. As a youngster he hauled
Spring 2013 / Page 5
Best Wishes to
Tyrone Area School District Retirees
Karen DelBaggio ~ TAMS Seventh Grade English Teacher ~ 34.37 Years of Service
By Bella McCracken, TAHS 9th Grade Student
T
yrone School District is losing
one of their most beloved
teachers. Mrs. Karen DelBaggio,
long time middle school reading
teacher, will retire at the end of
the school year after 27 years of
teaching in Tyrone.
“I have mixed emotions about retiring. I am happy and
sad. I am going to miss seeing the students everyday but
I am looking forward to starting a new part of my life”
Mrs. DelBaggio said.
Mrs. DelBaggio has taught at two other schools
besides Tyrone. “I have taught every grade except
kindergarten, second, and sixth.”
In her last year of teaching, she has been teaching
seventh grade reading.
“I will miss coming to school and being with the
students and teachers. The thing I will miss the least is
the three minutes. I will [absolutely] not miss those
very few minutes,” she said.
David Loth, a fellow seventh grade teacher said that
“Mrs. DelBaggio is positive and puts me in a good
mood. I will miss her smile and dedication.”
Another fellow teacher Susan Orlosky said, “Karen is
one of the most caring and compassionate individuals I
have ever met. I will miss her sense of humor and her
visible love for teaching.”
Sean McGovern, a ninth grader at Tyrone, said, “My
favorite thing about Mrs. DelBaggio was that she was
nice but she knew how to be strict when it was
needed. My favorite thing that she taught was the
Twilight Zone lesson.”
Kendra Walker, also a ninth grader, said, “Mrs.
DelBaggio was really cool. I loved her [science fiction]
lesson.”
Mrs. DelBaggio’s advice for students is “students need
to strive to find the purpose for which you were born.”
Her advice for teachers is “teaching is more than a job.
It is a calling. Never forget why you became a
teacher.”
In her spare time, Mrs. DelBaggio wants to “spend
more time with her family, read [a lot] more, play more
piano, and maybe even teach piano lessons,” she
said.
Leslie Hasson ~ TAES Second Grade Teacher ~ 34 Years of Service
By James Marquette, TAHS 10th Grade Student
M
rs. Leslie Hasson has been a
member of the Tyrone Area
School
District’s
Elementary
school staff for 34 years. She
will retire at the end of this year.
According to those who worked
with her, Mrs. Hasson’s dedicated years of service
have touched the lives of many students that have
entered her class.
“I have been a member of the Tyrone community all of
my life. All of my life I had wanted to be a teacher but I
never imagined that I would end up teaching in my
home town. The fact that I can reach out to kids that
grew up in the same neighborhood as I has been an
honor,” said Mrs. Hasson.
Before Mrs. Hasson began teaching she worked at
various summer jobs. But her dedication for becoming
a teacher led her quickly to go to college and major in
education. According to Mrs. Hasson, her favorite
memories were formed when “working with the smaller
schools and building close relationships with all of her
students.”
She also loved being involved in the children’s lives,
communicating with the parents while helping them
build their child’s future to the best that it could be.
“I just loved the way that the job brought you into the
lives of the students; I have had the pleasure of helping
a lot of the youth from Tyrone Area School District, and
have made great friends and great relationships with a
lot of them.” Mrs. Hasson said.
Now that her career as a teacher has come to an end,
Mrs. Hasson intends to travel with her husband all
throughout the United States. She wants to visit
multiple area attractions such as: The Grand Canyon,
The Golden Gate Bridge, Las Vegas, and other famous
attractions.
Page 6 / Tyrone Area School District . . . Soaring Forward to Explore, Challenge, and Succeed
Betsy Isenberg-Woomer ~ TAES Cafeteria Worker ~ 22 Years of Service
M
rs. Betsy Isenberg-Woomer is
retiring from the elementary
school cafeteria this June after 22
years of service.
She grew up in Tyrone and
graduated from Tyrone Area High
School in 1965.
When Mrs. Isenberg-Woomer was hired by the Tyrone
Area School District in October of 1991, she worked in
the Adams Elementary School cafeteria. She has done
many jobs throughout the years, including dishwashing
and cooking.
Elementary Cafeteria Manager Marie Fink commented,
“Betsy is one of the finest people I know. She is much
more than a co-worker. She’s a great friend. I’ll really
miss her. We have had a lot of great times working
together!”
Her favorite memory of her many years with the school
district is when the dishwasher at Lincoln Elementary
School overflowed with soapsuds and the mess ran out
in to the hallway. She and her co-workers laughed
about the incident for many weeks afterwards! Mrs.
Isenberg-Woomer said that “It was like a scene right out
of ‘I Love Lucy’.”
Gail Brinkman who also works in the elementary
cafeteria said, “I have worked with Betsy since the new
elementary school was opened. She was the server on
my line before she became the breakfast cook. Betsy is
a friend to everyone both on the job and in her personal
life. She goes out of her way to help everyone. She is a
very dedicated worker and friend. I wish her the best in
her retirement years. She will be missed very much.”
When asked why she made the decision to retire, Mrs.
Isenberg-Woomer stated, “You just know when it’s time.”
She said that she will miss the wonderful, hard-working
women that she has had the privilege to work with.
Mrs. Isenberg-Woomer plans to spend her time helping
with her grandchildren, traveling with her husband
Sonny, substituting at the school, doing volunteer work
in the community and her church, and keeping busy with
her friends.
Jane Johnson ~ Daycare Paraprofessional ~ 26 Years of Service
M
rs. Jane Johnson is retiring
from her position as an early
intervention paraprofessional at the
end of the school year after 26
years of service.
Mrs. Johnson grew up in Spruce
Creek and at age 11 her family
moved to Tyrone where she attended Logan Elementary
School and the old Tyrone Area High School that was
located on Lincoln Avenue. Her graduating class—
1963—was the first class to attend and graduate from
the new high school on Clay Avenue.
Mrs. Johnson was hired by the Tyrone Area School
District in 1987 as a personal care aide for two
students—one at Warriors Mark Elementary and the
other at Adams Elementary. In July of 1994, Mrs.
Johnson completed coursework to become a certified
teacher’s aide. She has held paraprofessional positions
in the nurse’s office and learning support, guided
reading, and early intervention programs.
Mr. Shue, Title I reading teacher reflected, “Jane always
worked above and beyond the call of duty for every task
performed. She was always very diligent and developed
a good rapport with all students. Her willingness to try
and implement new ideas and to be very flexible with her
thinking allowed her to excel with her instruction. She
will be missed here at the elementary school as she
always had a positive outlook every day.”
The most memorable event of Mrs. Johnson’s 26-year
career was when a student for whom she was
responsible handcuffed himself to her when she was
preoccupied listening to a teacher’s instruction.
Needless to say, Mrs. Johnson was frantic. After what
seemed like an eternity and a lot of frustration, the
teacher finally found the keys to the handcuffs.
When asked why she was retiring, Mrs. Johnson
commented, “At age 68, I thought it was time to retire
and pursue other interests.”
Co-worker Amy Gherrity said, “Jane valued her job here
and enjoyed working with the students. She would feel
guilty if she had to miss work. She is truly one of a kind
and I will miss her. With her retirement, TASD lost a
great employee.”
Mrs. Johnson will miss the teachers and the many
friends that she has made over the years and especially
the children.
After retirement, Mrs. Johnson plans to start a second
career by starting her own cleaning business.
Spring 2013 / Page 7
Dr. William Miller ~ Superintendent of Schools ~ 50 Years of Service
By Sadie Jackson, TAHS 12th Grade Student
S
uperintendent, Dr. William
Miller, is retiring after 50
years of working for the Tyrone
Area School District.
“I appreciate the opportunity
offered to me by the school
board, all of the staff and students, and by the
community, to be able to serve as superintendent
for the last 42 years. I would do it all over again if
given the chance,” Dr. Miller expressed.
Dr. Miller and his father, Dr. Norman Miller, worked
together. His father was the superintendent of
schools and Dr. William Miller worked as a social
studies teacher and a business administrator before
he became superintendent when his father retired.
Dr. Miller graduated from the old high school on
Lincoln Avenue in 1959.
The graduation
commencement was held in the Wilson Theatre
because the auditorium at the old high school was
too small for the graduating class.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Miller
for the past 37 years. Dr. Miller has always been
friendly to the staff. He has created a family
atmosphere to work in. I wish him the best on his
retirement and know that the School District will not
be the same without him,” Lyla Ammerman,
Accounts Payable/Purchasing Secretary, stated.
Dr. Miller completed his undergraduate courses at
Shippensburg’s University, majoring in social
studies with a minor in English. He also took
courses at the University of Chicago and earned his
doctorate degree from Penn State University.
Dr. Miller’s plans after his retirement are unknown at
the moment other than to get in better physical
condition.
On a more personal note, Dr. Miller’s favorite book
is “Lincoln On Leadership” by Donald Philips. “Not
only is the book about leadership, it relates to
everything in life,” Dr. Miller stated.
His favorite song of all time is “Unchained Melody”
by The Righteous Brothers.
Dr. Miller enjoys spending time with his dog, or any
dog for that matter. When he comes to his office on
Saturday mornings, he brings his dog, Pal, to the
school with him and leaves the pooch out of the car
at the flagpole to run along side of the car, which he
loves to do. Afterward, Pal accompanies Dr. Miller
to the office.
“What I liked best about Dr. Miller’s time here at the
school is his many stories. He is able to reflect on
his experiences, both good and bad, with a sense of
humor,” Cathy Harlow, business administrator,
stated.
Suzanne Park ~ TAHS Physical Education Teacher ~ 21.5 Years of Service
By Stephanie Hammond, TAHS 12th Grade Student
M
rs. Suzy Park will be retiring
at the end of the 2012-13
school year. She started as a fulltime teacher at Tyrone High
School in 1999.
Park attended State College High
School and graduated from Penn State University Park
with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical
Education, kindergarten through 12th grade. She also
has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Education.
“Mrs. Park is a very free spirited teacher and is very
easy going,” quoted Alayna Hettinger, senior.
on doing are traveling, hunting, fishing, backpacking,
playing guitar, boating, and participating in activities
with her church.
“Sometimes it is a challenge to keep the students
motivated to keep active,” stated Mrs. Park.
Mrs. Park enjoys teaching high school students
because of the maturity level and more advanced
skills.
“A memorable moment is when an entire class is
participating in small games enjoying what they are
doing with pure joy and laughter,” exclaimed Mrs. Park.
After Mrs. Park retires, she plans on spending time
with her husband and family. Some activities she plans
Page 8 / Tyrone Area School District . . . Soaring Forward to Explore, Challenge, and Succeed
John Rossman ~TAHS Special Education Teacher ~ 26 Years of Service
By Nathaniel Soellner, TAHS 10th Grade Student
M
r. John Rossman will be
retiring after 14 years as a
Special Education teacher at
Tyrone Area High School.
Mr. Joshua Zupon and Mr. Mike Funicelli both say
that he was caring and that he gave everything he
had to his students. He didn’t want to let them down
and always gave them his best.
“His students love him. He’s a
great inspiration to them and they look up to him,”
said fellow teacher Mr. Joshua Zupon.
Mr. Funicelli is a long-time friend and golfing
partner of Mr. Rossman. Funicelli, like Zupon, said
that he is a very passionate and patient teacher and
always gave his students the best.
Zupon, who works very close with Mr. Rossman,
said, “He has really shown me how to be patient
with the students and not get frustrated.”
“If I can take anything from him, it is that if you care
enough about your students they will do what you
want,” said Zupon.
“I’m going to miss our morning chats, we’re usually
the first ones in the school and would just talk about
what’s going on and stuff” said Funicelli.
Mr. Rossman, who said he “didn’t want any
attention,” respectfully declined to be interviewed for
this story.
Gina Williams ~ TAES Paraprofessional ~ 6 Years of Service
By Samantha Johnson, TAHS 10th Grade Student
A
t the end of this year, Mrs.
Gina Williams will retire
from the Tyrone Area School
District. Mrs. Williams
has
worked at the elementary
school for the past six years as
a paraprofessional with various
K3 and K4 teachers.
“I have worked with Gina for the last few months. I
have learned that she is always willing to help where
it is needed in the classroom and that the children
respect her because of her eagerness to get to
know them. Her energy will be missed by both
teachers and children alike,” says Jenna Dillon, elementary school teacher.
Mrs. Williams will be retiring to spend more time with
her parents and to take care of them.
Mrs. Williams was born and raised in Williamsburg,
Pennsylvania. She went to college at the Boyd
Trade School in Pittsburgh. Before starting to work
at TASD, Williams had previously worked as a travel
agent and a telephone operator.
Mrs. Williams will miss working with the children and
her colleagues.
According to Mrs. Williams, her favorite memory of
working at TASD is the time a child in her class fell
into a pond on a field trip.
“She is great with kids and she knows exactly what
she is doing. We are all going to miss her because
she is kind, thoughtful, and always goes above and
beyond,” says Ms. Becker, K4 teacher.
“Mrs. Williams is a gem and makes me smile every
day! She has a fun personality that the children
adore. I will miss her very much, especially on 50s
day! She was the best dancer at our Sock Hop!”
says Mrs. Smith, a K4 elementary school teacher.
“I just want to thank everyone in the elementary
school and most of all the administration for giving
me this job. I am going to miss everyone. I enjoyed
it very much working with everyone here. I know I’m
going to cry on the last day.” says Mrs. Williams.
Spring 2013 / Page 9
TAHS Class of 1963 to Celebrate 50th Class Reunion !
The TAHS Class of 1963 will celebrate
their 50th class reunion on July 26 at
the Bull Pen Restaurant and July 27 at
the Sinking Valley Farm Show Building.
Class of 1963 Officers
Seated left to right: Joyce Bookhamer, Dick
Frantz, and Jerry Watson. Standing left to
right: Mary Welch, Dick Kustenbauder, Lee
Miller, Jane Hample, Gloria Iadarola.
Commencement Speaker (Continued from page 5)
at the poverty level. To afford larger numbers of
younger students the opportunity for a quality
education, with help from others, Dr. Bill supported
early childhood initiatives that have proven
enormously effective. After a quarter of a century as
Tyrone Superintendent, Miller managed the
consolidation if six elementary schools into one
central elementary school in the late 1990s. In the
early years of the 21st Century, Dr. Bill pioneered the
building of Tyrone Middle School, the remodeling of
Tyrone Area High School, and the football field
renovations.
Of course, to persevere through all of these school
district challenges would have proven impossible
except that Dr. Bill has been vaccinated with a
passion for education. Across the years of his life,
Dr. Bill has found himself impassioned by his
superintendent father, his elementary school teacher
For more alumni information, including
class reunion news, please visit the
TASD website at www.tyrone.k12.pa.us
and select “Alumni” on the left
navigation menu.
wife, along with his three children, who in ways both
direct and indirect have associations with public
education.
Clearly, 42 years as Tyrone School
Superintendent and an additional eight years as a
Tyrone teacher/administrator speak strongly about
Dr. Miller’s passion for his work. Probably, that longterm devotion played a significant part in his
nomination as 2013 Pennsylvania Superintendent of
the Year. American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson
noted that “Every great achievement in the history of
the world is the triumph of passion. Nothing great
was ever achieved without it.” Across the 161 year
story of the Tyrone schools since their establishment
in 1852, Dr. William Miller has contributed 50 years
of passionate devotion to ensure that the schools
here do succeed.
And given their remarkable
success, school board members, teachers, parents,
relatives, and friends expect that he will have
something valuable to share with the 146 graduating
seniors on the evening on June 5, 2013.
Page 10 / Tyrone Area School District . . . Soaring Forward to Explore, Challenge, and Succeed
Rebecca Bianconi
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Ms. Bianconi currently resides in Roaring
Spring with her husband of 11 years, a son
who is 12, and a daughter who is 10. She
is a recent post baccalaureate graduate from Saint
Francis University with certification in Elementary and
Special Education. While enrolled at St. Francis, Ms.
Bianconi was the recipient of the 2012 Outstanding
Student Award and was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi,
the International Honors Society in Education. She
completed her student teaching in May of 2012 in
both Spring Cove and Altoona School Districts. Prior
to coming to Tyrone in the winter of 2013, Ms.
Bianconi was a day to day substitute for several
surrounding school districts. She has an extensive
past working with children both in and out of school
settings
serving
as
a
volunteer
tutor;
paraprofessional; Children, Youth, and Family
Ministry Coordinator; and Cub Scout parent. In her
spare time, Ms. Bianconi enjoys playing board games
with her children, taking walks, and shopping.
Indhira Escala
Paraprofessional
Spanish Translator/Interpreter
Ms. Escala is married and has three sons
who attend school in Tyrone. She loves
spending time with her family. Ms. Escala enjoys
gardening, crafting, and especially sewing.
Other Hires:
Stanley Allen, Jr.—Junior Varsity Girls Softball Coach
Rachel Emigh—Assistant Junior High Girls Basketball Coach
Randall Irvin—Boys Tennis Coach
Patrick McNelis—Varsity Assistant Track Coach
Lucas Rhoades—Part-Time Athletic Director
Richard Stever—Head Junior High Girls Basketball Coach
Douglass Thomas—Grade 8 Basketball Coach
Michael Treon—Cafeteria Worker
Paul Turner—Cafeteria Worker
Susan Rodgers
Cafeteria Worker
Ms. Rodgers is a 1978 graduate of Tyrone
Area High School. She lives in Bald Eagle
with her boyfriend Chuck. Ms. Rodgers
has a daughter April and a son Tyler and two
grandchildren, Saige and Gavin.
She enjoys
spending time with her family and friends playing
cards at the farm.
Barry Shaffer
Custodian
Mr. Shaffer graduated from Tyrone Area
High School in 1976. He lives in Tyrone
with his wife Lisa. They have two children
and four grandchildren. Mr. Shaffer loves spending
time with his family, spoiling his grandchildren,
hunting, fishing, and walking in the woods.
Doreen Walls
Paraprofessional
Ms. Walls is a 1986 graduate of Tyrone
Area High School. She and her husband,
Alan, have been married for 16 years and
have two children, Rayann and Wyatt. Ms. Walls is
a Girl Scout volunteer and an AYSO Soccer
volunteer and board member. She enjoys spending
her free time doing outdoor activities like swimming,
camping, and taking walks with her family. Ms.
Walls’ other hobbies include cooking, crafting,
sewing, and knitting.
Transfers:
Karen Koegler—Daycare Lead Teacher
Adrienne Snider—Daycare Lead Teacher
The Tyrone Area School District is initiating a survey to assess community perception of communication
strengths and areas of concern, as well as conducting a needs assessment to assist with its
Comprehensive Planning. Your input as a parent and/or resident of the TASD is extremely important to
us and we would like to gather as much community participation as possible! Please log on to the TASD
website at www.tyrone.k12.pa.us and click on “Community Stakeholder Surveys.” The survey will only
take a few minutes to complete and will be accessible until June 14, 2013. Paper copies will also be
available at the District Administrative Offices.
Spring 2013 / Page 11
Ty r o n e A r e a S c h o o l D i s t r i c t
2 01 3 - 2 01 4 C a l e n d a r
AUGUST
S
4
11
18
25
M
5
12
19
26
T
6
13
20
27
W
7
14
21
28
SEPTEMBER
T
1
8
15
22
29
F
2
9
16
23
30
S
3
10
17
24
31
S
1
8
15
22
29
M
2
9
16
23
30
OCTOBER
W
2
9
16
23
30
T
3
10
17
24
31
M
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
T
1
8
15
22
29
S
1
8
15
22
29
M
2
9
16
23
30
T
3
10
17
24
31
F
4
11
18
25
S
5
12
19
26
S
M
T
F
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
W
T
F
2
9
16
23
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
M
T
W
T
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
S
M
T
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
S
1
8
15
22
29
M
2
9
16
23
30
T
1
8
15
22
29
W
2
9
16
23
30
S
7
14
21
28
F
1
8
15
22
29
S
2
9
16
23
30
S
M
T
W
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
S
M
T
W
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
W
1
8
15
22
29
F
3
10
17
24
31
S
4
11
18
25
T
F
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
S
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
MARCH
S
1
8
15
22
MAY
T
3
10
17
24
F
4
11
18
25
S
5
12
19
26
T
5
12
19
26
F
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
T
1
8
15
22
29
F
2
9
16
23
30
S
3
10
17
24
31
JUNE
T
3
10
17
24
W
4
11
18
25
3-2014
2013Cafeteria
Prices
Important Dates
August:
22—Teacher In-Service Day (no classes)
23—Teacher In-Service Day (no classes)
27—First Student Day of School
September:
2—Labor Day ( no classes)
October:
4—Teacher In-Service Day (no classes)
November:
11—Veteran’s Day (no classes)
26—One-Half Day Early Student Dismissal
27—Teacher In-Service Day (no classes)
28-29—Thanksgiving Vacation (no classes)
December:
2—Buck Day (no classes)
20—One-Hour Early Dismissal
23-31—Christmas Vacation (no classes)
January:
1—New Year’s Day (no classes)
20—Martin Luther King Day (no classes)
If needed, weather make-up day.
February:
14—Teacher In-Service Day (no classes)
17—Mid-Winter Vacation (no classes)
If needed, weather make-up day.
March:
None
APRIL
M
F
6
13
20
27
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
S
T
5
12
19
26
S
DECEMBER
T
5
12
19
26
W
4
11
18
25
NOVEMBER
S
W
4
11
18
25
T
3
10
17
24
April:
17—One-Half Day Early Student Dismissal
18—Easter Vacation (no classes)
21—Easter Vacation (no classes)
If needed, weather make-up day.
May:
16—Teacher In-Service Day (no classes)
26—Memorial Day (no classes)
June:
3—Last Day of School
One-Half Day Early Student Dismissal
Commencement
If needed, additional weather make-up
days will be added after June 3.
The Tyrone Area School Board has approved the following
breakfast and lunch prices for the 2013-2014 school year:
Breakfast
Lunch
Elementary School
1.25
1.85
Middle/High School
1.25
2.00
.30
.40
Reduced (must meet
eligibility requirements)
Page 12 / Tyrone Area School District . . . Soaring Forward to Explore, Challenge, and Succeed