Jan 22, 2016 By Cara Host 2 min read

The superintendent of Northgate will soon lead Bethel Park.

Bethel Park School Board hired Dr. Joseph Pasquerilla at a special meeting Jan. 21. The move ends a nearly six-months-long search to find a replacement for Nancy Aloi Rose, who will retire in June.

The board hired Pasquerilla under a five-year contract. His salary is set at $152,500 a year. His start date will be determined later.

Pasquerilla, 35, has been superintendent at Northgate for the past four years. He also worked as director of curriculum and assistant to the superintendent at Ambridge Area School District and as principal of Northway Elementary in the North Hills School District. He started his career as a high school social studies teacher in the West Middlesex Area School District.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Pasquerilla as our new superintendent,” Bethel Park School Board President Donna Cook said in a press release. “His vision for academic excellence and his commitment to continuing to move the District into a 21st century learning environment is shared by the Board of School Directors. He is a respected educator and leader with a strong work ethic, who is highly dedicated to his students and their successes. He takes great pride in supporting his staff members and we are confident of his ability to partner with us in leading the Bethel Park School District into the future.”

The district began the superintendent search in earnest last summer. It solicited feedback from the community and teachers through surveys and meetings before settling on Pasquerilla.

Pasquerilla earned his doctor of education from the University of Pittsburgh and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Youngstown State University. He earned his superintendent’s letter of eligibility from Westminster College.