Knoch Primary School finds new principal
SAXONBURG — Knoch Primary School has a new permanent principal for the 2023-24 school year.
At the monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 12, the Knoch School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Gregory Boerio as the primary school’s principal. According to David Foley, Knoch School District’s superintendent, Boerio towered above all other candidates in a deep search.
“There were a lot of very strong applicants, and Greg rose to the top very quickly and impressed all of us, and he knocked all of our socks off,” Foley said.
Just before joining Knoch, Boerio served as executive director for the Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University. Prior to this, he served as a school psychologist and assistant director of special education for the East Liverpool City School District in Ohio, and also worked in various capacities with the Ohio Department of Education.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University, a master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Youngstown State.
Boerio was present for Wednesday night’s board meeting, along with his wife, Brianna. The family is relocating from Ohio for his job.
“This will be a new opportunity for Bree, and a new chapter for the two of us and our two little boys,” Boerio said. “I’m just excited to be at Knoch, and I can’t wait to get started.”
“I think Greg won us over when he talked a lot about primary school being in his wheelhouse and feeling very comfortable helping our youngest students,” Foley said. “I think he's going to fit in well with the administrative team, and certainly with teachers.”
Boerio will replace Gregory Mandalas, who left his post at Knoch before the end of the 2022-23 school year after he was charged with failing to report an act of child abuse.
Boerio officially starts his tenure as principal at Knoch Primary School on Aug. 7.
The school board also approved the appointment of Josh Shoop as the new athletic director at Knoch High School. Shoop will replace Kurt Reiser, who vacated the position to become dean of students at the school.
Shoop will be making his return to the Knoch district after a decadelong absence, having served with the district from 2003 to 2013, when it was known as the South Butler County School District. In the intervening years, he also served as athletic director in both the Pine-Richland and Plum school districts in Allegheny County.
According to Foley, Shoop is returning to Knoch to be closer to home.
“He's done some great things with sportsmanship. He’s done great things with helping student leaders on their teams,” Foley said. “I know he’s very excited to get started.”
