FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Robert Ackell will become the new superintendent of the North Schuylkill School District after a unanimous vote at Wednesday's school board meeting.
A North Schuylkill Class of 1999 graduate, the Frackville resident will fill the vacancy left with the retirement of the current superintendent, Andrew D. Smarkanic, on June 30. Ackell takes over on July 1.
As chairperson of the Personnel Committee, board member Suzanne O'Neill made the motion to approve the employment of Ackell as superintendent, pending receipt of all appropriate documentation, for the term beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2018, at an initial annual salary of $110,000. The vote was 7-0, followed by a round of applause.
Ackell, 33, who attended with his wife, Marcie, and son, Brody, addressed everyone about being proud to be coming back to North Schuylkill.
"I am really humbled and honored to stand before you this evening," Ackell said. "I look to serve the students, families, communities, and most importantly, the staff at North Schuylkill high school and elementary school. As you know, my roots are deep here at North Schuylkill. However, my love and passion for education is even deeper. I come to you as an administrator, but I'm always going to be a teacher."
After graduating from North Schuylkill, Ackell attended Penn State University and earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He attended Drexel University and earned a master's degree in educational leadership, which was followed by his doctorate in educational management, also from Drexel.
Ackell was a teacher for six years in the Line Mountain School District. He was athletic director at Red Land High School (West Shore School District), then became assistant principal at Cedar Cliff High School (West Shore SD), then was named principal at Allen Middle School (West Shore SD).
Ackell said his inspiration to choose education as a career came mainly from district teachers.
"I grew up in Frackville and graduated from North Schuylkill. During that time, I was inspired by some teachers here to get into education," Ackell said. "During that time, I realized that education was the great equalizer. I saw teachers open up windows of opportunity for some students and I thank them for that."
Ackell thanked school board President Charles Hepler and board members for offering a contract.
"I look forward to this opportunity. I can guarantee you that my entry plan is to meet with the internal and external stakeholders, to listen and to learn what they have to say about the district," he said. "My vision for this district is very simple. I want to put North Schuylkill on the map. When somebody says, 'What is a Spartan?' I want them to say loudly and proudly, 'It is success and it is North Schuylkill.' I'm a firm believer that 'good' is the enemy of 'great.' I thank you again for bringing me home. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work."
Hepler explained the process that led to Ackell's selection.
"We started with a field of candidates and interviewed eight," Hepler said. The people who did the interviews included two board members, the business manager, the superintendent's administrative assistant, the two leaders of the district's unions, and three parents.
"The narrowed that field down to four, and the school board felt that Dr. Ackell was the best candidate," Hepler said. "Truly what came through as part of his interview was the fact that he was coming back to where he grew up, his pride in the area and communities that make up the district, and his wanting to give back."