Hempfield Area School District

Hempfield Area School District is a large school district in western PA. It is the largest in Westmoreland County with a resident population of over 50,000 and covers approximately 95 square miles (250 km²) and lies 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The school district was formed in a merger of The School District of Hempfield Township, Adamsburg School District, Hunker School District, Manor School District and Youngwood School District on July 3, 1961. The school district population comes from Hempfield Township and the communities of Adamsburg, Armbrust, Bovard, Grapeville, Hannastown, Hunker, Luxor, Manor, New Stanton, and Youngwood. It completely surrounds the city of Greensburg. The community is a mix of Pittsburgh suburbia and rural areas.
The school system includes five elementary buildings, three middle schools, a high school, an alternative education school and an after-school alternative education program. The Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center serves Hempfield students in the high school. Hempfield Area School District is made up of approximately 6,600 students in grades K-12 and is served by a professional staff of 445, a support staff of nearly 300 and an educational administrative staff of 20.

Administration

• Dr. Barbara Marin (Superintendent)
• Dr. Tammy Wolicki (Assistant Superintendent Elementary Education)
• Dr. Mark Gross (Assistant Superintendent Secondary Education)
• David Johnston (Director of Pupil Services)
• Robert Reger (Director of Human Resources)
• Wayne Wismar (Business Manager)
• Pamela Mondock (Assistant Business Manager)
• John Paul Pascasio (Chief Information Officer)
• Greg Meisner (Athletic Director)
• Jeffrey Coover (Director of Special Education)
• Dana Ferry (Director of Buildings and Grounds)
• Len Coniglio (Location Manager)

School Board (term of 4 years)^[1]

• Sonya Brajdic (President) – Elected 2009
• Dr. Jeanne Smith (Vice President) – Elected 2011
• Diane Ciabattoni – Elected 2009
• Dr. Paul Adams – Elected 2015
• Tommy Bishop – Elected 2015
• Paul Ward – Elected 2015
• Robert McDonald – Elected 2009
• Joe Lutz – Elected 2009
• Michele Fischer – Elected 2011
• Pamela Gibasiewicz (Secretary)
• Dennis Slyman (Solicitor)

Elementary schools

• Fort Allen Elementary School was opened in 1952 and completely renovated in 2000-2001. It is located in central Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. Upgraded school facilities include an enlarged library with internet access and computerized library catalogue, a 32-station computer lab, full size gym with a stage, well equipped art and music rooms, remolded cafeteria, a nurse's suite, conference room, and modern office space as well as 28 full size classrooms and a number of smaller rooms for specialized instruction. The building has complete climate control. Outside is a large playground.

Principal: Marty Rovedatti-Jackson

• Maxwell Elementary School is nestled on 10 acres (40,000 m²) in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It was opened in 1952 and was renovated in 2000. Maxwell serves approximately 455 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Principal: Alene Mancini

• Stanwood Elementary School is located eight miles (13 km) southwest of Greensburg, Pennsylvania and five miles (8 km) due south of Hempfield High School in New Stanton Borough. The school was originally opened in 1970 as a junior high school. Due to declining enrollment, Hempfield did not have a need for four junior high schools. In 1984, New Stanton Elementary and Youngwood Elementary were closed and Stanwood was turned into an elementary school. Stanwood serves approximately 628 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth. The school's cadre of teachers and support staff numbers approximately 60. The school was completely renovated in 2009-2010.

Principal: John Behrendt

• West Hempfield Elementary School is located in Irwin, Pennsylvania. West Hempfield Elementary School was opened in 1962 and completely renovated in 2002-2003. This school serves approximately 615 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth.

Principal: Chris Brasco

• West Point Elementary School is located off of Route 130 in eastern Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. West Point Elementary School, which was opened in 1964 and renovated in 2001. West Point serves approximately 250 students from eastern Hempfield Township in grades Kindergarten through fifth. Starting in the 2007-08 school year, students that attended East Hempfield Elementary will now attend here.

Principal: Audrey Dell

Middle schools

Harrold Middle School is located directly across from the Hempfield Area High School in the central part of Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. It is the largest of the three Hempfield Area Middle Schools. It is also the oldest school in the district. It was opened in 1929 and has been renovated extensively in 1985 and in 2000.
Principal: Jason Lochner

• In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 36th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.^[2] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County)

Wendover Middle School is located in the eastern part of Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. The school was opened in 1970 and is due to be renovated in the next few years. Students participate in a variety of district, regional, state, and national academic and athletic competitions. The students win numerous awards and championships annually.
Principal: Deanna Mikesic

• In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 20th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.^[3] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County)

West Hempfield Middle School is located in Irwin, Pennsylvania. It was opened in 1964 and was completely renovated and updated for the start of the 2003-2004 school year. Students participate in a variety of district, regional, state, and national academic and athletic competitions. The students win numerous awards and championships annually. West Hempfield Middle serves students in the western and now southern part of Hempfield Township.
Principal: Aaron Steinly

• In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 45th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.^[4] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County)

High school

• Hempfield Area High School

Vocational Technical Services

HAHS uses the services of Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Stanton for the students there who wish to choose a vocational or technical program.

Former Schools

• East Hempfield Elementary School (1958–2007) was a primary school located in eastern Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. Originally, East Hempfield served approximately 200 students in grades 1-6. Later, it served students in K-2. After students finished second grade, they would attend West Point Elementary School. The school was built in 1958.
• Bovard Elementary School (1)
• Bovard Elementary School (2) (1975–2013) is located in the northeastern section of Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. Bovard serves approximately 240 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth. The school was opened in 1975, making it the last school built in the district.
• St. Clair Elementary School (1)
• St. Clair Elementary School (2) (1954–1990)
• Youngwood Elementary School ( -1983)
• Youngwood Junior High School
• New Stanton Elementary School ( -1983)
• Thomas Elementary School ( -1983)
• Manor Elementary School (1901–1990)
• Manor Junior High School
• Lincoln Heights Elementary School ( -1982)
• Luxor Elementary School
• Mt. Odin Elementary School
• Todd Elementary School
• Diamond Elementary School
• Pleasant Valley Elementary School
• Brush Creek Elementary School
• Grapeville Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School
• Hannastown Elementary School
• Liberty Elementary School
• Kamerer Elementary School
• Weavers Old Stand Elementary School
• Kennedy Elementary School
• Armburst Elementary School
• Hillview Elementary School
• Blank Elementary School
• High Park Elementary School
• Oak Grove Elementary School
• Swede Hill Elementary School
• Stanton Elementary School
• Wendel Elementary School
• Paintersville Elementary School
• Hunker Elementary School
• Harrold #8 (1881–1928) Restored and now used by the district as an educational tool.

^[5]

Former Superintendents

• Andy Leopold (2011–2014)
• Dr. Terry Foriska (2007–2011)
• Dr. Wayne Doyle (2000–2007)
• Dr. Erv Weischedel (1999–2000)
• Dr. Barbara Ferrier (1998–1999) (Acting)
• Dr. Cheryl Troglio (1997–1998) (Acting)
• Dr. C. Richard Nichols (1991–1997)
• Dr. Silvio Mincucci (1991) (Acting)
• Dr. Margaret Smith (1986–1991)
• William Roscher (1986) (Acting)
• Dr. Elliott LeFavier (1983–1986)
• Kenneth Ruoff (1969–1982)
• Theo Fullerton (1952–1969)

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.^[6]

Athletics

-Hempfield Area Spartans Baseball

-Hempfield Area Spartans Basketball - 6-16

-Hempfield Area Spartans Bowling

-Hempfield Area Spartans Cross Country

-Hempfield Area Spartans Field Hockey

-Hempfield Area Spartans Football - 1-8

-Hempfield Area Spartans Golf

-Hempfield Area Spartans Rifle

-Hempfield Area Spartans Soccer

-Hempfield Area Spartans Softball

-Hempfield Area Spartans Swimming

-Hempfield Area Spartans Tennis - Section champions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011; Head coach: Jerry Way

-Hempfield Area Spartans Track and Field

-Hempfield Area Spartans Volleyball - Logan Karanovich (captain)

-Hempfield Area Spartans Wrestling

-Hempfield Area Spartan Competitive Majorettes and Color Guard

-Hempfield Area Spartans Competitive Cheer

2006 Strike

After their contract ran out over the summer, the Hempfield Area teachers went on strike on September 21, 2006, after the school board rejected the new contract by a 5 to 4 vote.^[7]

Hempfield teachers were planning to strike on February 23, 2007 if a contract was not agreed upon but this is no longer the case.^[8]

References

External links

• http://hasdpa.net/hasd/site/default.asp - HASD Main Page
• http://www.hempfieldareaband.org/ - The Hempfield Spartan Marching Band
• http://www.hempfieldspartansfootball.com/ - The Hempfield Spartan Football Page
• "Hempfield High School Daze 1976" video, A look back at the class of 1976 at Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
• http://hasdpa.net/