Bethlehem-Center School District Superintendent leaving to take top post at McKeesport Area School District


Submitted photo
Laurel Highlands junior Ella Ciez displays the two medals she won at the PIAA Class AA Swimming & Diving Championships at Bucknell University. Ciez placed eighth in the 100 breaststroke Saturday night with a time of 1:05.75.
Bethlehem-Center School District Superintendent Donald MacFann is leaving his position after accepting the top job at McKeesport Area School District in Allegheny County.
McKeesport Area School Board unanimously approved MacFann’s hiring for the district’s top administrative post at its Jan. 16 meeting.
MacFann has served as Beth-Center’s superintendent since 2021.
“I can’t say enough about the people in Beth-Center. It’s been a great experience; the school board is one of the best I’ve ever seen, and from an administrative standpoint, it’s the best team I’ve ever worked with,” said MacFann. “The faculty and staff truly put kids first. I loved my time there.”
McKeesport’s school board also approved appointing former Washington High School principal and lifelong McKeesport Area School District alumnus and resident Matthew Mols as assistant superintendent, expanding his recent role in that position.
MacFann will begin his five-year contract with the district at a date to be determined.
In McKeesport, he is succeeding acting superintendent William Pettigrew, who had replaced Superintendent Tia Wanzo, who resigned in August amid controversy.
The McKeesport district conducted a months-long search for a superintendent before selecting MacFann, who began his education career in the Clairton Area School District, from a pool of 28 applicants, noting his “outstanding leadership skills” and ability to “fully relate to the McKeesport Area School District.”
He navigated Beth-Center through financial challenges and declining student enrollment.
The Beth-Center School District now will begin its search for McFann’s successor.