Former school chief returns to help Mars
ADAMS TWP — The Mars School Board on Monday night accepted the resignation of Superintendent Jim Budzilek and then appointed former Superintendent William Pettigrew as the interim superintendent.
Budzilek, 53, is leaving the district to take a position with the IT company Pitt Bull Secure Technologies that specializes in producing anti-bullying software.
On its website, Pitt Bull Secure says it is a “information technology service provider and authorized manufacturer reseller. PBST is proud to provide superior support to businesses, government agencies, and school districts throughout the Northeast region of the United States.”
The eight-year-old Johnstown company offers solutions for the management, support and maintenance of schools' technical infrastructure.
Budzilek leaves less than a year and a half after taking the Mars job in 2013.
He will remain with the school district until Dec. 15 to help with the transition to a new superintendent. However, Pettigrew will start his role as interim superintendent today.
School board President Dayle Ferguson said Monday night that Pettigrew will be paid a fee “consistent with his last superintendent contract,” although she didn't have the exact numbers on hand.
However, she said Pettigrew will get a $150 monthly stipend for a “car allowance” as well as $258 monthly for health care.
The board also hired Victor Morrone, the former superintendent of the Bethel Park School District, to oversee the search committee that will recommend candidates for the superintendent.
Morrone, who headed the search committee that hired Budzilek, will be paid according to his last contract with the school, although officials also didn't have those numbers on hand Monday night.
All action taken by the school board Monday night was by unanimous vote.Budzilek did not attend the meeting, citing in a written statement a prior family commitment.However, his resignation ends a 30-year career in public education. He previously was the superintendent in the Leechburg School District.Budzilek admitted Monday in a telephone interview that his sudden departure “might be tough for some people to swallow,” but added that the new job opportunity was too much to pass up.“It wasn't an easy decision at all,” he said. “This school district has a tremendous community, a fantastic support staff and a great teaching staff. But I have a fantastic opportunity to stay within the education field by working with this company.”He was hired last year at a salary of $138,000 to be Mars' superintendent.Budzilek added that he has no plans to move his family out of the school district. His son is in the first grade in the district, and he and his wife are “very happy with the district and have no plans on moving” with the new job.Budzilek said he's proud of an increase in community involvement between residents and the district, as well as security upgrades that were made under his watch.He also is proud of changing the teacher evaluation system during his short tenure.Speaking from a written statement on behalf of the school board, Ferguson said she respects Budzilek's decision to move to the private sector and wishes him well.She also expressed gratitude that Pettigrew was willing to return from retirement to help in the next transition.“Upon his departure, Dr. Pettigrew stated that if we ever need anything, just to call,” Ferguson said. “The board took him up on that offer in a big, unexpected way, and we are grateful for his service.”
Ferguson said school officials will meet soon with Morrone to begin the search process.About two dozen people attended the short meeting, and a group of parents congregated in the parking lot afterward.Mars resident Kim Astbury said she was sad to see Budzilek go.“He is such a warm, approachable person,” she said. “I'm happy at least Dr. Pettigrew is coming back to help because he knows the district.”
