BY REBEKAH BROWN

Times-Shamrock Writer

More than six months after he was named interim superintendent, John J. Kopicki becameForestCityRegionalSchool Districtsuperintendent in his own right on Monday, Jan. 9.

The school board unanimously voted to approve Kopicki, who has been acting superintendent since July 1. According to school board President Mary Emmett, Kopicki was hired at a base salary of $105,000.

Kopicki succeeded previous Superintendent Robert J. Vadella, who left the position with an annual salary of approximately $121,000. As reported at the time, Vadella decided not to renew his contract after eight years of service to pursue other career opportunities.

Emmett said she looks forward to Kopicki’s continued tenure.

“He’s still at the point of taking a lot in … but I like the direction he’s going,” the school board president said.

“He always puts the best interest of our students first, and we have a bright future coming with him at the helm.”

Prior to accepting the position as superintendent, Kopicki was principal atJohnF.KennedyElementary SchoolinScranton.

Kopicki is pleased with the community support he has received thus far.

“We’re going to continue to do the best we can for the kids here and continue working toward student achievement,” he said.

In other news, although the teachers contract was not part of the meeting’s agenda, Emmett said she was optimistic about its completion. According to the Scranton Times-Tribune archives, the contract expired in August.

“We have made significant progress and we are getting very close,” she said.

No date for the final contract was provided.