JACKSON TWP - The new superintendent at Seneca Valley School District is a familiar face to many in the district.

Donald Tylinski, who was became superintendent after Gerald Malecki's retirement in July, took his place at the head of the school board table at the Aug. 2 board meeting.

Twelve years before, Tylinski could be seen in the office at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School and at Seneca Valley Junior High, where he served as principal simultaneously at both schools.

"I always looked forward to the opportunity to come back," said Tylinski. "I feel honored."

Tylinski graduated from Ford City High School in Armstrong County, then earned his bachelor's degree from Westminster College in Lawrence County. He earned a master of education degree from the University of Pittsburgh before getting his doctorate and principal certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Tylinski was superintendent of the Mount Pleasant and Freeport school districts prior to coming to Seneca Valley. He lives in Oil City with his wife.

Tylinski sees municipal growth and its accompanying increasing student enrollment in the school district as a top priority at Seneca Valley. He said 3,000 new housing units are expected to add to the district's student population in the next several years.

"We have to make sure we're ready for that growth," said Tylinski.

To accomplish that, Tylinski plans to focus on adequate buildings, curriculum and technology. He takes the latter particularly seriously in the interest of turning out graduates who can compete in the current job market.

Tylinski also emphasized the importance of communication with parents and the public. He points to existing technology at Seneca Valley that allows parents to log onto a secure Web site to view their children's grades and progress in each class.

He said under his administration, parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers and principals regarding their children's education.

School board president Dean Berkebile said Tylinski brings many positive assets to the table.

"Dr. Donald Tylinski is the perfect fit for Seneca Valley. He has served as a teacher, an elementary principal, a secondary principal, and a superintendent in a number of different school districts.

"He brings experience regarding technology in education from both the public and private sectors. He has experience in school construction. Most importantly, he brings the energy level that will be necessary to apply all of his successful experiences to one of the fastest growing school districts around."

Tylinski said he will use his experience as an educational consultant who traveled around the country observing dozens of school districts.

"I brought that experience here because I was able to see what worked and what didn't (in public education)," he said.

Asked to name the greatest challenge facing him at Seneca Valley, Tylinski said the new state Act 72 law and its potentially negative impact on large, growing school districts like Seneca Valley.

"I'm concerned as an educator of the effects (of Act 72)," said Tylinski. "I'm afraid education will become restricted somewhat."

Act 72 requires school districts that accept state revenue from slot machines to put any tax increase above 1 percent of the current inflation rate to a vote by taxpayers before it can go into effect.

The act becomes effective in 2006.

Berkebile is confident in Tylinski's abilities in leading the district: "We have many new people in new roles this year, and firmly I believe that under Don's leadership our district will continue to grow not only in size but in performance."