An alumna of Slippery Rock Area High School will take over as principal of Slippery Rock Area Elementary School come the new school year.

The district school board voted at a meeting Monday, Feb. 26, to hire Crystal Johnston, of Chicora, as principal of the elementary school, replacing current principal Kristen Czubiak, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

A 1997 graduate of Slippery Rock high school, Johnston is now the special education director at Clarion Area School District, where she interacts with students, staff and families.

District superintendent Alfonso Angelucci said Johnston’s appointment is the culmination of a four-month hiring process.

“Crystal’s background in working with students with multiple ability levels was something that resonated with our selection team,” he said. “Her experience in working with students, staff and families is something we found particularly appealing.”

Johnston said she would like to start her tenure as principal getting to know the families, teachers and students of the school community.

“I hope to bring the knowledge and expertise I have gathered along the way to continue the tradition of academic excellence already established at Slippery Rock Area Elementary,” Johnston said. “While I did not attend Slippery Rock Area Elementary specifically, the prospect of returning to the school community that shaped and prepared me for my future was simply too good to pass up.”

Johnston officially takes over the role July 1, as Czubiak’s retirement is effective June 30.

Angelucci also praised Czubiak for her years at the school district.

“Mrs. Czubiak has laid a great foundation for success at the school. We feel that Crystal will continue this,” Angelucci said.

The school board also approved Monday the start of a monthly visit from a therapy dog to Moraine Elementary School.

Angelucci said Harris the golden retriever will visit the school monthly with his handler, Becky Thomas. Harris and Thomas will work primarily with students in the school’s life skills support classroom. Danielle Remley, school counselor at Moraine Elementary, was integral in organizing the program, according to Angelucci.

Also at the meeting, the school board appointed an interim assistant principal for the high school.

Angelucci said the current assistant principal, Garrett Miller, is leaving at the end of March, having taken an assistant principal position at North Allegheny Senior High School.

Douglas Mays, retired Lakeview Area School District superintendent, will fill in as the interim assistant high school principal starting March 25 — the day Miller is scheduled to start at North Allegheny. Mays is a former high school social studies teacher who also spent time as a high school principal at both Commodore Perry and Lakeview, according to Angelucci.