DR. DOUG SZOKOLY JOINS DISTRICT AS CURRICULUM COORDINATOR
The Brentwood Borough School District is pleased to welcome Dr. Doug Szokoly as its new Coordinator of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development( CIPD).
The Brentwood Board of School Directors approved Dr. Szokoly’ s appointment at its May meeting. He began his duties in early July and comes to Brentwood after serving as principal at Cornell High School since 2015.
“ We are excited to welcome Dr. Szokoly to the Brentwood Borough School District,” said Dr. Amy Burch, Brentwood SD Superintendent.“ Dr. Szokoly brings a variety of experiences in curriculum and instruction, along with a strong commitment to supporting teaching and learning at every level. His leadership will help us continue the positive momentum already established in the district, ensuring that the Brentwood School District remains focused on innovation, collaboration and excellence for all students and staff.”
“ I am honored and excited to become part of the Brentwood community and join a district with such a strong tradition of supporting students, families and educators,” Dr. Szokoly stated.“ As I begin this new role, I look forward to collaborating with students, staff, families and community members to continue strengthening the educational experiences we provide for all learners.”
Dr. Szokoly had served as principal at Cornell High School since 2015. Prior to his tenure at Cornell, Dr. Szokoly served as a Unit Principal at Mt. Lebanon High School for 5 ½ years. He also was a Technology Education teacher in the Penn Trafford School District for seven years, earning his Master’ s degree while at Penn Trafford.
A native of Munhall, Dr. Szokoly is a graduate of Pennsylvania Western University California with a degree in Technology Education. He earned his Master’ s in Multimedia Technology, with high honors, from PennWest California. Dr. Szokoly earned his doctorate in Leadership and Education from Point Park University and his Superintendent’ s Letter, Principal K-12 Certificate and Curriculum Supervisor Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Szokoly garnered Dean’ s List honors as an undergraduate at PennWest California and graduated Magna Cum Laude as a Master’ s student. The Steel Valley High School graduate also was selected a Penguins Most Valuable Principal( MVP) at Cornell in 2024.
KATY MONTGOMERY NAMED SECONDARY COUNSELOR
Katy Montgomery has been selected as the new Brentwood High School Counselor. Ms. Montgomery replaces long-time teacher and counselor Linda Capozzoli, who retired in June.
Ms. Montgomery has been a member of the Brentwood SD team since January 2023. Since her Brentwood internship as a master’ s student, Katy has served in the district as a long-term substitute for the high school counselor, a paraprofessional and assistant high school varsity swimming coach.
Ms. Montgomery earned her B. S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and her M. Ed. in School Counseling from Duquesne University. rentwood Borough
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
CONGRATS TO BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL’ S CLASS OF 2026!
Seventy-four members of Brentwood High School’ s Class of 2026 received their diplomas as the district held its 93rd Commencement ceremony.
Valedictorian Emma Simmons plans to attend Duquesne University and study Psychology and Salutatorian Nia Aten will enroll in the University of Pittsburgh’ s School of Public Health. Senior class president Rey Ramirez plans to attend CCAC and study Aviation Technology.
Three members of the Brentwood Class of 2026 plan to enter the military: Paige Byers( U. S. Navy), Jacob Patterson( U. S. Marines) and Lesly Pena-Garcia( Pennsylvania National Guard). Brentwood Superintendent Dr. Amy Burch announced the names of the 20-plus seniors who received a total of 35 scholarships.
More than 25 different languages are spoken by Brentwood students and 11 seniors began the ceremony by welcoming the attendees in their native languages: Jonathan Matanda( Swahili), Prince Byiringiro( Kinyarwanda), Tafssira Garba Gambari( Ewe), Fatimah Ismael( Arabic), Hamid Mohebi( Dari), Deng Mu( Dinka), Salina Rai( Nepali) and Christopher Mejia- Lopez, Lesly Pena-Garcia, Rey Ramirez and Almendra Rosales Leon( Spanish).
What are the plans for Brentwood’ s 2026 graduates?
Among the 74 graduates:
• 46 plan to attend a two or four-year college( 14 different institutions);
• 12 are headed to other postgraduate training( 4 different schools or programs);
• 13 are employed;
• 3 are entering the military.
Best of luck in your next chapter Class of 2026!!
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ FALL 2026 27