ADAMS TWP — The residents of the Mars School District have two chances to meet the new superintendent.

The public is invited to meet Wesley Shipley at 10 a.m. Thursday or at 7 p.m. next Monday. Both events will be in the lobby of the Mars High School auditorium.

Shipley replaces Jim Budzilek, who resigned in December to accept a position in the private sector. Former superintendent William Pettigrew, who retired at the end of 2013, served as acting superintendent in the interim.

Shipley, who was superintendent at the Shaler School District before coming to Mars, accepted the position effective July 1.

Shipley's 25 years in public education include stints as an elementary school teacher at the Deer Lakes School District and Newport News Public Schools in Virginia. He also was an assistant middle school principal in the Burrell School District, and as the program director and an elementary principal in the Freeport School District.

He most recently worked as assistant superintendent for two years, and then superintendent for four years at the Shaler district in Allegheny County.

Shipley has a doctorate in educational leadership from Duquesne University.