ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown School District has a new deputy superintendent.
Amelia Coleman was appointed to the role at Thursday’s school board meeting. She will start on the job in October. Her contract runs until June 30, 2029.
Her annual base salary is $197,000.
Coleman, who has more than 20 years of experience, will join ASD from Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, where she serves as associate superintendent and oversees 51 schools.
According to an ASD news release, Coleman has “driven measurable gains in student achievement, reduced chronic absenteeism, strengthened bilingual programming, and mentored future school leaders.”
She previously served as the assistant superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia.
Coleman has both a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Temple University.
She will serve alongside ASD’s two other deputy superintendents: Jennifer Ramos, who serves as chief of schools, and Malika Savoy, who is the chief academic officer.
Previously, ASD also had two other deputy superintendents: Michael Roth and Shuanta Broadway McDaniel.
Roth served out his three-year contract, which ended in June, and left the district.
Broadway McDaniel resigned from her position last school year before her contract expired.
New chief of performance management and accountability
At Thursday’s board meeting, the district also hired Ijeoma Ikwunemere to serve as its chief of performance management and accountability at an annual salary of $180,000.
Ikwunemere will come to ASD from DC Public Schools, where she serves as deputy chief of data and strategy.
She has more than a decade of experience in “driving systemic change through data-driven decision-making, equity-centered policy, and performance management,” according to an ASD news release.
She also previously served as director of district and school transformation at Boston Public Schools and as the director of data and evaluation at the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative.
She has a master’s degree in human development and social intervention, with a concentration in education policy and applied statistics, from New York University.
She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sewanee: The University of the South.
Other hires, promotions
Additionally, the district promoted a number of employees to new roles and also hired newcomers to take on positions, according to a news release.
“As we begin this school year, we are proud to welcome new leaders and elevate a number of talented staff members from within our organization,” Herman James, chief of talent management and labor relations, said in a statement.
“Each of these individuals brings expertise, dedication, and vision to their roles, ensuring that we continue to build a strong foundation for academic achievement, innovation, and student support across the District.”
Carlos Reyes has been appointed acting executive director of instructional leadership at an annual salary of $150,000. He previously served as director of investigative services and labor relations.
Crystal Perez has been promoted to director of health services at an annual salary of $131,000. She previously was assistant director of health services.
Perez also was a school nurse for many years and has expertise in student wellness, immunizations and school-based health services.
Ari Segarra-Polek has been promoted to assistant manager of purchasing at an annual salary of $62,000.
Segarra-Polek previously served as a logistics and inventory specialist in ASD, streamlining procurement processes and working with vendors.
“Each of these individuals brings expertise, dedication, and vision to their roles, ensuring that we continue to build a strong foundation for academic achievement, innovation, and student support across the District.”Herman James, ASD's chief of talent management and labor relations
Marie Yvrose Augustin will join ASD as the director of grant accounting at an annual salary of $129,000.
Augustin is a finance executive with more than two decades of experience in grants management, nonprofit finance and compliance.
Eric Rosa has been appointed director of safety and security at an annual salary of $135,000. Most recently, he served as executive director of school safety for the School District of Philadelphia.
With more than 20 years of experience, Rosa has led districtwide safety operations, crisis response, restorative programs and major technology upgrades.
Jamie Yarish will join ASD as a payroll supervisor at an annual salary of $93,722.
Yarish has more than eight years of experience in payroll management, accounting and compliance. Most recently, he worked in the Panther Valley School District.
Additionally, Brighid McDonnell has been named acting principal of Union Terrace Elementary School after having served as acting assistant principal. She will earn an annual salary of $116,750.
Jerry Solano will be an assistant principal at Dieruff High School, earning an annual salary of $102,000. Previously, Solano served as a behavior management specialist and teacher in ASD.
In the Information Technology department, ASD hired Eduardo Guzman Merida as a network engineer at an annual salary of $77,138, and Bobby Rutherford as an audio/ visual engineer at an annual salary of $73,000.
Irakli Matcharashvili will serve as the ASD’s strategic data fellow, earning a $58,000 annual salary.
Matcharashvili will help advance data-driven decision-making, analysis, and reporting to support the execution of the ASD's strategic plan.
