Jefferson County JVS creates dean post, revives HVAC program

The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School is establishing a new administrative post and bringing a past program back to the forefront following the March 17 school board session.

Officials agreed to combine the assistant principal and school counselor position to create a new dean of students post at the site following the recent resignation of Gabrielle Saltsman and the impending departure of Shellie Henderson. Superintendent Ted Gorman said the position has been posted and is already gaining a response.

“We will be adding a dean of students position for the 2026-27 school year. This role will combine responsibilities typically handled by an assistant principal and a guidance counselor, allowing us to better support our students both academically and personally.”

Gorman said resumes will be accepted until April 8 and the new administrator should be named at next month’s school board meeting.

The board also formally hired Keith Kaczor as instructor of the HVAC program, which is making a comeback this fall. Gorman said the program, which halted in 2008, has already garnered interest among prospective students and would help fill a trade that is in high demand. Kaczor has vast experience in the teaching field, previously serving as instructor of HVACR technology at Belmont College since 2018 and later as director of industrial trades. Gorman said Kaczor also acted as a consultant and was involved in helping the JVS re-establish the program.

“The board approved the hiring of Keith Kaczor to lead our new HVAC program. This is a program we are building from the ground up, and Keith brings the experience and background to do it right,” Gorman added. “He has taught at Belmont College and understands both the technical side and the classroom. We are excited to have him join our team and help create strong opportunities for our students.”

Kaczor is expected to start on Aug. 21 once school is back in session for the new term. In addition, the board approved a series of equipment purchases for the program, including trainers, mobile benches, a portable Pittsburgh lock machine and a foot shear.

Among other matters, the board:

— Heard from electrical trades instructor Buddy Davis and students Marco Socha, Cameron Rusnak and Caiden Canestraro about projects completed in the program, skills they have developed and being prepared to work in the real world. The students said they currently work as interns, while Socha and Rusnak plan to enter the electrical workers union and Canestraro will attend Youngstown State University to pursue engineering;

— Approved Piper Eckenrode and Jon Eick to the 2025-26 substitute teacher list;

— Approved the resignation of math instructor Shawna Myers for retirement, effective June 1. The position will be posted for the 2026-27 school year.