USC’s Bolas recognized
Upper St. Clair School Board member Barbara Bolas will be honored with the Voice of Advocacy Award from the Western Pennsylvania Forum of School Superintendents.
Bolas, who has been a 34-year member of the board, will be recognized during the Forum’s spring retreat April 27 at the Omni Bedford Spring Resort in Bedford.
Nominated by Dr. Patrick O’Toole, who retired as Upper St. Clair’s superintendent in 2018, Bolas has been praised for her service and advocacy.
“Since moving to the Pittsburgh region, she has been devoted to public service,” O’Toole said. “(Bolas) has a long history of service to public education at the local, state and national levels and has been a strong advocate for children of Upper St. Clair and beyond.”
Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Bolas has served leadership roles locally as well as with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the National School Boards Association. She served as a PSBA officer and board member from 1998 through 2010, including serving as president of the organization in 2001. Bolas served as an NSBA board member from 2001-10 and was the NSBA president in 2008-09.
Locally, Bolas has served as the USC school board president and vice president and has chaired and served on numerous board committees over her three decades of service.
“The wealth of experience that frames her perspectives is invaluable,” said current superintendent Dr. John Rozzo. “She continues to be a leader in our Upper St. Clair community, in public education and, especially, within our board room. We appreciate and value her service and leadership.”
Bolas was previously honored with the PSBA Chief Executive Officer’s Distinguished Service Pin, which recognizes PSBA members, staff and education advocates for their extraordinary service and work on behalf of the association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the State University of New York. She began her career as a public schoolteacher.