Mary Pierczynski appointed new superintendent

Carson City's new superintendent of schools is no stranger to education nor to the area.

Associate Superintendent Mary Pierczynski, who will become superintendent July 1, 2001, has worked in education for 20 years, 14 of them in Carson City.

"I obviously have a vested interest in this district and in this town," Pierczynski said. "This is my home, so I'm going to work very hard to continue the good work Jim has done with this district."

The Carson City School District appointed Pierczynski as the next superintendent Tuesday, just moments after Superintendent Jim Parry announced his plans to resign next June 31.

The announcement came as no surprise.

Parry was appointed three years ago and promised to stay four years. He will complete four years next June and began early looking for his replacement.

Two years ago, Parry asked both associate superintendents, Pierczynski and Dorothy Todd, if they would be interested in taking over his job.

Pierczynski said she would be.

"The legacy of leaders is to leave more leaders," Parry said. "We've done everything we could over the last two years to background Dr. Pierczynski in the role of superintendent."

Pierczynski said she is excited to take the job and is glad she will have a year to make the transition.

"This is not an easy job," she said. "I have a lot to learn."

School Board trustees Gary Ailes said promoting from within best fits the needs of the district.

"Some people may feel that we're going out and picking these people," he said. "But that's not the case. The people that are really interested are rising up to those positions."

Todd Russell, the district's attorney, said it is legal to select from within instead of opening it up to the general population as long as the appointee met the requirements of the position.

Pierczynski's list of requirements begins with her bachelor's degree from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Ind. She later earned her first master's degree from Ohio State University and her second master's from East Carol University.

She got her education specialist degree from the University of Nevada, Reno as well as her doctorate.

She taught for six years in her home state of North Carolina and after working for 10 years in the business world, returned to education 14 years ago in Carson City.

"I have loved my job for the last 14 years," she said.

She has served as a guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal and associate superintendent in Carson City.

Although Pierczynski has suffered health problems in the past, she said her health is good.