Moon Area’s new leader is familiar face

schools in the fall.

Upon her return, she hopes to further initiatives in STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — and explore student opportunities.

“The students are my priorityas well as working with their families and making sure it is a positive experience for everyone,” she said, adding that she wants students to have opportunities for success in the areas they are passionate about. “I am returning because we loved itthere,” she said.

She was educated at Allegheny College and Carnegie Mellon University and received her doctorate of education at the University of Pittsburgh.

The three board members who voted against the hiring indicated they preferred another candidate.

“I don’t doubt that she will do a spectacular job. Dr. Ungarean just wasn’t my choice,” Robert Harper said.

Scott LaRue agreed. “I just had a personal preference for another candidate. That said, all candidates were well-qualified, and I think she will do a great job and be a great asset to the district,” he said.

James Bogatay said during the meeting that he was voting no because he preferred another candidate.

Ms. Ungarean was chosen after a yearlong process that began with the school board holding community meetings and conducting a public survey to determine what qualities residents wanted in a superintendent.

The board concluded the newsuperintendent must be an educator, be familiar with the region and district and have a strong investment in the students. The board interviewed 31 candidates and held three rounds of interviews before choosing Ms. Ungarean. She was also vetted by Monaca-based Corporate Security and Investigations.

“We are very lucky to have someone with her experience and integrity leading our district,” board president Jerry Testa said.

Also on Monday, the board named Ryan Linn, the district’s middle school health and physical education teacher and girls softball coach, as head football coach.