Aug 21, 2006 By Christine Haines 3 min read

CALIFORNIA – The timing of the opening for an assistant superintendent in the California Area School District appeared to be almost providential to Lisa Mancini. “I just received my letter of eligibility in May and I was thrilled with the possibility of staying right here,” Mancini said. “I’m settled in Jefferson. I have a beautiful house and I’d like to stay there. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up right now.”

Mancini, 56, who now lives in Greene County, has worked in school districts in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia over the past 26 years, moving when her husband’s job required it. The couple has been married for 36 years and they have two grown children who are living in Atlanta, Ga., and in North Carolina.

“I have two grown children and I’ve always been very supportive of my husband during his career. I’ve always been torn in many different directions. Right now, I only have one direction, and that is for the California Area School District,” Mancini said.

Mancini, who was a classroom teacher for 18 years and a principal for eight, said she decided eight years ago that she wanted to get her superintendent’s letter of eligibility and so she set about to do that.

“At some point in my life, I want to be a superintendent. I want to retire as a superintendent. That’s been my goal,” Mancini said.

Her immediate goal is to be part of the educational team in the California Area School District dedicated to improving student educational opportunities.

“My most important duties of course are making sure the funding sources are here through state and federal sources,” Mancini said.

As the assistant superintendent, Mancini is in charge of the district’s federal programs and is the curriculum coordinator. She will also oversee the special education programs.

“It will give me an opportunity to touch every part of education,” Mancini said of her new job.

Mancini said that her role is to make sure the teachers and other staff members have the tools to do their jobs, so they can focus on those jobs and not on whether there is funding to support them.

“This is a new realm and I’m excited that at my age I have an opportunity to learn new things. I’m willing and ready to learn,” Mancini said. “I think that’s what keeps people young.”

Dr. R. Timothy Marks, district superintendent, said Mancini is proving to be an asset to the administrative team.

“In the short time we’ve worked together, I have no doubt she’ll do well in the position. She’s very high energy,” Marks said.

Marks said the assistant superintendent’s position is vital to the district.

“The position is needed. With al the state and federal programs we have to keep up with, and the accountability, the position is needed even in a small district,” Marks said.

Mancini received her undergraduate degree from Walsh University in Ohio and her master’s degree from Marshall University in West Virginia. She most recently completed her superintendent’s letter of eligibility at California University of Pennsylvania. Mancini gained two years experience as a building principal in the Williamstown School District in West Virginia, followed by a year at the West Greene School District and five years in the Jefferson-Morgan School District before taking the administrative position in California.