Meadows is new Frazier acting superintendent
PERRYOPOLIS — Frazier School District elementary principal Ken Meadows had planned to retire this month, but instead will expand on his 36-year career for the next six months as acting superintendent.
“I have the passion and energy to do this and I am thankful for the opportunity,” said Meadows, who started Monday.
The board appointed Meadows to the post during the regular meeting July 28 at a salary of $55,000.
Meadows said the move came as a surprise following the resignation of Dr. Frederick Smeigh, who served in the role for two months.
Meadows said that he was asked by several people if he was interested in the position.
As a member of the Uniontown Area School Board for the last 20 years, including president, Meadows said he is familiar with how decisions are made and handled.
While Meadows acquired his superintendent papers about six years ago, he said he did not apply when Frazier advertised for a superintendent after Donald Martin left in October.
For the most part, Meadows said he has been blessed over the years and credited much of his success to his wife and two sons, extended family, friends and staff.
“You never want to forget the people that helped you,” said Meadows. “I’ve had some pretty good pedigree over the years.”
Over the years, Meadows said he has enjoyed working closely with Jim Burns, former superintendent of Uniontown Area School District, along with Uniontown’s current superintendent, Dr. Charles Machesky.
Additionally, Meadows said he was mentored by his cousin, Melvin Sepic, who was a former principal for Laurel Highlands School District and also St. Mary’s School in Uniontown.
Meadows came to Frazier 10 years ago from the Brownsville Area School District, where he started his career in 1981 as an elementary teacher.
At Brownsville, Meadows also coached the boys varsity basketball team for 10 years and later became the middle school principal and the elementary principal for several months following a retirement.
“My teaching staff and secretaries have been invaluable to me at both school (districts),” Meadows said.