Kiski Area makes safety a top priority with new position
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Kiski Area School District has created a new position with a focus on student safety.
John Tedorski is the new director of Student Information, Transportation, Safety and Security Services.
Raised in Arnold and still a resident there, Tedorski has been employed by the district for 29 years. In his early years teaching, he taught keyboarding, business education and computer applications for seven years and then transitioned to administrative roles.
Newly hired Kiski Area Superintendent Misty Slavic praised Tedorski’s expertise in areas that go beyond teaching.
“The number one priority is to ensure that all students and staff are safe,” Slavic said. “Tedorski’s extensive background with safety, including serving as the fire chief in Arnold for 12 years, working part time in the (Arnold) police department’s dispatch records and information and Westmoreland County 911 center, provide him with the essential skills needed to implement robust safety plans and protocols.”
The school board approved Tedorski’s switch from his former role as director of technology services to the new broader position. His annual salary will be just under $117,000 .
Slavic said the pandemic has added additional layers of responsibilities to all staff members.
Tedorski, 52, said the new job was created when Slavic identified areas within the district that were going to need additional attention.
“Transportation concerns, both with the lack of drivers and the need to change routes weekly to accommodate this shortage, also creates more responsibility and time,” Slavic said.
The Trib previously reported on a shortage of bus drivers in the district. The district still grapples with managing routes for more than 65 buses.
“The bus contractors are getting more applicants, but it does take time to get them trained and in place,” Tedorski said. “The routes are less affected and there’s progress.”
In his new role, Tedorski will keep tabs on every safety-related tip reported to the district.
“I will monitor social media, utilize all of our information resources, and students here have the ability to use an anonymous tip line,” Tedorski said.
The Safe2Say Something program began in 2019 as an anonymous way for any student to report a tip to their school.
To date, the district has never had to close schools because of a threat.
He stressed he wants every student in the district to feel comfortable talking with teachers, counselors and administrators.
“If they go speak with an adult, that adult can assure them and tell them what they will do to address it,” Tedorsky said. “That personal interaction is always important.”
The district employs two school resource officers, one each from the Allegheny Township and Washington Township police departments.
Additional personnel have been hired to assist with the technology aspects of his former role.
“It’s great to be involved in something that is so essential to student’s education,” Tedorski said. “Getting them to the building safely and then have them be safe while they’re in the building it greatly contributes to their education.”