The Boyertown Area School Board has promoted Marybeth Torchia to the post of assistant superintendent of operations, effective Dec. 1. The contract agreement’s expiration date is June 30, 2022.
Following a 34-minute executive session at the Nov. 28 school board meeting, a vote was taken on filling the assistant superintendent of operations position with Torchia. Her salary will be $147,500 per year.
Prior to the vote, board member Christine Neiman stated she could not support the recommendation.
“I will not be voting for this tonight, on the grounds I feel it will tying the hands of our superintendent’s hands when he comes on board.”
The recommendation passed by a vote of 8-1; Neiman cast the lone dissenting vote.
The district’s top administrator, Richard Faidley, left in July to take a new job as superintendent of the Wilson School District in western Berks County.
Torchia joined Boyertown Area School District in 2015 as the district’s director of secondary special education. She has previously served as the assistant superintendent and as the superintendent at Daniel Boone School District.
“I love being a positive influence for students and families,” Torchia said in a statement. “Our education system can be difficult to understand. Our role is to help families work through their questions.”
Passionate about education and ensuring students have access to the resources they need to succeed, she is looking forward to working with students – and everyone throughout the school district – to help reduce barriers and build on successes.
Torchia began her career in special-education at the Reading School District. After four years, she taught special education in the Antietam School District and later served as assistant superintendent there.
After six years with the Antietam, she took on the role as an elementary school principal at Daniel Boone School District.
“I felt that I needed to experience being a building principal in order to better understand the jobs they do,” said Torchia. “I enjoyed my time as a principal and, looking back, I know that I did many things that I didn’t realize would make memories for my students.”
Torchia received her bachelor’s degree in liberal science and special education at Kutztown University.
“The Boyertown Area School District is extremely fortunate to have someone with such a high level of expertise. The position of assistant superintendent of operations requires a broad knowledge base which only comes from years of experience,” said Acting Superintendent David Krem.
In her free time, Torchia enjoys boating, skiing, watching her daughter play soccer, reading, and watching college football. She and her husband, Joe, have two children.
