Quaker Valley
superintendent
announces fall
retirement
M
embers of the Quaker Valley School Board
approved the retirement of Dr. Joseph H. Clapper,
superintendent, during its Jan. 28, 2014, legislative
meeting. Dr. Clapper will continue to lead the district through
at least Sept. 1, 2014.
“It has been an honor to serve the Quaker Valley community
for nearly 20 years,” Dr. Clapper said. “Quaker Valley is a very
special place and I take great pride in having been a part of it
for so many years.”
The school board praised Dr. Clapper for his leadership and
service to the district.
“The board respects Dr. Clapper’s decision to retire and is
grateful for his time and dedication to Quaker Valley,” Sarah
Heres, school board president,
said. “Under his leadership
the district has seen the
advancements in technology
and e-learning, the complete
renovation and improvements
to our middle school, and,
most importantly, providing
our students with the best
education under changing fiscal conditions.”
Dr. Clapper joined the Quaker Valley staff as Edgeworth
Elementary principal in 1993 and was promoted to assistant
superintendent in 2000. He briefly left Quaker Valley for 18
months to serve as superintendent of North Hills School
District before returning to Quaker Valley in March 2007 to
serve as superintendent of schools.
Student achievement and creating opportunities for
students have been focal points throughout his tenure.
Programs including eLearning, the Regional Opportunity
Initiative, Global Scholars, Mandarin Chinese and a districtwide career education focus have expanded learning
opportunities for Quaker Valley students.
Quaker Valley has been widely recognized for its student
achievement – earning numerous national and state
accolades during Dr. Clapper’s tenure as superintendent.
In 2012, the district was presented the Exemplary Practices
in Teacher Supervision and Evaluation Award from PASCD.
Quaker Valley is one of only six public school districts in
Pennsylvania to have earned this distinction.
“Ensuring that Quaker Valley provides the highest quality
teachers is the best we can offer our students and our
community,” Dr. Clapper said. “This recognition validates and
rewards those efforts.”
In 2013, Quaker Valley High School was one of 28 schools
in Pennsylvania and only six in Allegheny County to be
listed among America’s Most
Challenging High Schools by
the Washington Post. U.S. News
and World Report, ranking
the best public high schools
in America, placed Quaker
Valley High School at 14th
among Pennsylvania’s 687 high
schools and 645th out of more
than 21,000 public high schools nationwide. The National
Music Makers Foundation named Quaker Valley as one of the
Best Communities for Music Education for a ninth consecutive
year.
Locally, the 2013 Pittsburgh Business Times Guide to
Western Pennsylvania Schools ranks Quaker Valley School
District eighth out of 105 public school districts in western
Pennsylvania and 27th out of 500 school districts in
Pennsylvania.
In January 2013, Quaker Valley completed its $26.5
million renovation of Quaker Valley Middle School. In
addition to a major overhaul of the heating, plumbing and
electrical systems, the project
included three additions
to accommodate a new
auditorium, wellness center and
an integrated arts wing that
encompasses instrumental and
vocal music, art, technology as
well as family and consumer
sciences.
“The renovation of the middle school posed many
challenges – including the temporary relocation of students
and staff,” Dr. Clapper said. “However, the educational benefits
have made it all worth it. Quaker Valley Middle School is a
simply a phenomenal facility for teaching and learning.”
In 2013, Dr. Clapper was honored with two statewide
profession commendations. The Pennsylvania School Study
Council recognized him with the William E. Caldwell Award
for Excellence in Administration and Supervision. In addition
he was honored with the Award for Service to the Profession
from the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.
“We are grateful for the leadership and expertise that Dr.
Clapper has demonstrated throughout the last several years,”
Mrs. Heres said. “We certainly wish him continued success in
retirement.”
Dr. Clapper completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees
at Shippensburg University and his doctorate in curriculum
and instruction at The Pennsylvania State University. He
previously served as an undergraduate instructor at Penn
State as an adjunct graduate professor at Penn State Beaver
campus.
The advance notice of Dr. Clapper’s retirement provides the
Quaker Valley School Board with ample time to thoroughly
analyze the district’s needs while making decisions regarding
its future leadership.
QUA KER VAL L E Y S C HOO L D IS TRI C T NE WS
ewickley Area
“Ensuring that Quaker Valley
provides the highest quality
teachers i