Parkland School Board unanimously approved employment agreements for the leadership duo now sitting in the district office.

At th July 28 meeting, District Superintendent Dr. Richard Sniscak and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rodney Troutman were each re-hired for a five-year term effective July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2021.

Both men assumed their present jobs July 1, 2011.

Sniscak, then assistant superintendent, succeeded Dr. Louise Donohue when she retired.

Troutman advanced to the role vacated by Sniscak.

Board President Roberta Marcus offered comments on the administrative team.

"This is an outstanding time," Marcus said. "There aren't two finer gentlemen who would run the school district any better."

She praised "the kind of work that gets done on a daily basis" by the two officials.

"They are always available – days, nights, and weekends," Marcus said.

Sniscak, a native of Allentown, is a graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he played football on full scholarship.

He earned a Master's degree and superintendent's eligibility certificate from Lehigh University.

Sniscak came to Parkland as football coach in 1994, then was hired as athletic director and assistant to the principal a year later.

In 2001, he became high school principal.

Troutman, who hails from Northumberland County, earned his Bachelor's degree at Kutztown University, a Master's from East Stroudsburg University, and his doctoral degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

He was hired in 1995 as an assistant principal at the high school. He served as principal of Springhouse and Orefield middle schools and assistant to the superintendent for educational programs.

Sniscak was instrumental in creating the open Wi-Fi campus concept allowing students to bring their own technology devices to school to access the Internet.

He has led various projects which continue to save money for the district such as conversion to natural gas at the high school and middle schools and energy conservation programs at all district buildings.

As assistant superintendent, Troutman has worked closely with teachers and other Parkland employees to formulate district goals and to evaluate staffing requests in budget preparation.

Troutman is known to begin his workday in his office at 6 a.m.

Longtime board member Rob Cohen provided observations on the administrative team.

"I've been here for three superintendents – all excellent," Cohen said. "I've seen the present superintendent build on what came before with the assistance of Rod."

Sniscak offered some personal thoughts.

"I am excited to continue to serve students, staff, parents, the board, and community members to provide a high quality education that includes academics, the arts, and athletics," Sniscak said. "We want to thank the board. We both enjoy coming to work every day. It's an honor."