Peters Elementary principal to retire after 35 years

A seasoned administrator in the Northern Lehigh School District will retire at the end of this school year.

The school board on a 7-0 vote on Monday accepted the retirement of Peters Elementary Principal Paul Leonzi, effective June 30. Director Robert Keegan Jr. was absent.

Board President Gary Fedorcha thanked Leonzi for his years of service to the district.

“We are going to miss you,” Fedorcha said.

Superintendent Matthew J. Link also thanked Leonzi for serving the staff, community and students.

“Thank you, and congratulations,” Link said.

Fedorcha said the district has posted the job opening, and will look both internally and externally to fill it.

Leonzi will retire from the district after 35 years of service.

After the meeting, Leonzi said he began his tenure in the district as a teacher in 1984.

“I’d like to thank everyone for the opportunity for advancement,” Leonzi said. “It has truly been my honor to serve this community for almost 35 years, and being part of the Peters Elementary family.”

In June 2015, the then board approved the administrative transfer of Leonzi from acting principal to principal, at a salary of $92,721.

Leonzi was named acting assistant principal at Peters in December 2013. He became acting principal in July 2014.

He was initially appointed acting assistant principal, and then acting principal, after former school Principal Paul Rearden began to experience health-related issues.