The North Hills School District has appointed John Lesjack principal and Katie Fanelli associate principal of the North Hills Middle School effective July 1, 2024.

Mr. Lesjack is currently an assistant principal at the North Hills High School, a position he has held since 2019. Ms. Faneill has served as an assistant principal at the middle school since 2022. The NHSD Board of Education approved the hirings at their April 18 legislative meeting.

“We have some extremely talented administrators in the North Hills School District, John and Katie included,” said Superintendent Dr. Patrick Mannarino. “With their strengths, I am confident they will thrive in their new roles at the middle school and I look forward to witnessing all they accomplish.”

Mr. Lesjack grew up north of Pittsburgh, graduating from Seneca Valley High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Kenyon College in Ohio and later attended University of Pittsburgh where he received his Master of Arts in Teaching. Prior to North Hills, he served as assistant principal at the Brookville Area School District and taught world history at Butler Area Intermediate High School.

“I am honored by the board’s decision. I came to North Hills because of its tradition of excellence, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place,” said Lesjack. “I cannot wait to work with the entire middle school community to help our students achieve their very best in all aspects of their lives.”

Ms. Fanelli is a North Hills native and 2010 graduate of North Hills High School. She graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2014 with her dual teaching certificate in early childhood education and special education, and received her Master of Education in Leadership and Administration and her K-12 principal certification from The Citadel Graduate College.

She joined the district as a special education teacher at the middle school in 2019 and transitioned to her role of assistant principal at North Hills Middle School three years later. Prior to North Hills, she worked as a middle and elementary school special education teacher in Charleston, South Carolina.

“As my alma mater, I’ve always loved North Hills but have really come to love the middle school and its students, families and staff these last few years,” said Ms. Fanelli. “I cannot wait to transition to my new role this summer and look forward to working alongside Mr. Lesjack as we continue to support our students in all aspects to ensure their time at North Hills Middle School is the best it can be!”

A restructuring of the administrative duties and leadership along with Ms. Fanelli’s promotion eliminates the need to replace NHMS Assistant Principal Jim Cassell, who left the district for a job in the Hopewell Area School District this past February.

The search for Mr. Lesjack’s replacement at the high school will begin immediately. View job openings here.