PITTSBURGH -- Five new and returning North Hills School District school board members were sworn in for four-year terms at the North Hills School District Board of Education’s annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019.
New members Phil Little, Deanna Philpott, Kathryn Poniatowski and Rachael Rennebeck, and returning member Helen “Dee” Spade took the oath of office from the Honorable Richard Opiela. and read more about each board member below.Watch the video
Allison Mathis, a board member since 2017 and chair of the district’s education committee, was elected school board president and Dee Space was re-elected vice president during the meeting.
In addition, Michael J. Witherel, was reappointed solicitor of the North Hills School District for 2020 and Jerry Muth was appointed treasurer effective January 2, 2020.
Mr. Muth worked as the district’s accounting manager from 2001 through 2018 before being named business manager in February 2019. He will replace the district’s long-serving district director of finance and operations, David Hall, who is retiring this month after 29 years.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino took a moment Tuesday night to thank Mr. Hall for his dedication to the district.
"Budget and finance are a huge part of the leadership of a district and his help was such an important part of my success as superintendent. He has been a valuable member of our administrative team and I am so very appreciative of all he has done,” he said.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved its meeting dates for 2020. The next school board meeting, a committee meeting with action, will take place on Thursday, Jan. 2 followed by a legislative meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16.
All meetings are held in the LGI room at the North Hills Middle School unless otherwise noted.
New and Returning Board Members for 2020
Phil Little
Phil Little was elected to the North Hills School District Board of Education in November 2019. A former teacher, Mr. Little currently works as a community and government affairs liaison for the Pennsylvania Attorney General. He lives in Ross Township with his wife and two sons, 4-year-old Theodore and 2-year-old August.
Deanna Philpott
Deanna Philpott was elected to the North Hills School District Board of Education in November 2019. Her two sons, 7-year-old Miles and 5-year-old Noah, attend first grade and kindergarten respectively at McIntyre Elementary. She graduated from North Hills and moved back to the area two years ago so her children could attend her alma mater. Mrs. Philpott currently works as a school wellness consultant.
Katie Poniatowski
Katie PoniatowskI was elected to the North Hills School District Board of Education in November 2019. She has been a member of the North Hills community for 11 years and her daughter, 13-year-old Shelby, attends North Hills Middle School. Mrs. Poniatowski has worked in education for 16 years and is currently a high school special education teacher.
Rachael Rennebeck
Rachael Rennebeck was elected to the North Hills School District Board of Education in November 2019. She has been a member of the North Hills community for 20 years and has three children in the district: 16-year-old Roman, 12-year-old Domenic and 10-year-old Adeline.
Helen "Dee" Spade
Dee Spade has lived in the North Hills School District for 45 years and has been a member of the North Hills School District Board of Education since 2015. Mrs. Spade worked in North Hills’ Facilities Department for 39 years, served as an officer of the SEIU Union for many years, and continues to serve as a member of the Allegheny County Schools Health Insurance Consortium. She was re-elected as school board vice president Tuesday night.