Dowell officially in charge at BVA
By Kaylie Moore
kmoore@yourmvi.com
After almost a year of uncertainty, Dr. Michele Dowell is officially Belle Vernon Area School District’s superintendent.
On Monday, the school board unanimously approved hiring Dowell at a salary of $150,000 for the 2019-20 school year, and authorized solicitor Vic Kustra to draft a five-year employment contract, in accordance with the Public School Code. The contract will be effective through March 24, 2024.
“I’m really excited,” Dowell said Monday. “My heart has always been in Belle Vernon. We’ve got a great group of people here, a great community. I’m excited to stay and continue the work I’ve been doing for the past 10 months.”
Dowell became acting superintendent after her predecessor, Dr. John Wilkinson, resigned last May. When Wilkinson was hired in March 2012, his salary was $130,000. A contract renewal in 2016 led to his final salary for the 2017-18 school year totaling $155,981.
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