Interim superintendent starts at Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District as Paladina departs
After more than a decade, Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District has someone new in the superintendent’s chair.
Robert Rocco officially started as the district’s interim superintendent on Monday, taking over for Gregg Paladina, who held the position since 2013. Paladina announced his resignation in July, after accepting a superintendent position at New Castle Area School District.
Rocco was principal at Philipsburg-Osceola Area Middle School from 1999 to 2010 before serving as superintendent for Ridgeway Area and Northern Cambria School Districts.
“I just retired last year and I felt I could maybe help them just bridge the gap between their first and their new person coming on to kind of keep things flowing,” Rocco said on Thursday. “So I’m excited to do it.”
The board voted at its Thursday night meeting to move Rocco’s start date from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2 to wait for clearance from the Pennsylvania State Employee’s Retirement System. Rocco and Paladina worked together through the transition for several weeks prior to Rocco’s official start.
Rocco said his first priority as interim superintendent is to get reacquainted with the district and its staff, setting up meetings with the principals and district leaders.
“I think a lot of people know me now,” Rocco said. “There’s a lot of new faces here and I’m excited to get to know them. I’ve been in the community a long time, so I’m just happy to be here.”
Despite Rocco’s excitement to return to Philipsburg-Osceola, Thursday’s meeting was bittersweet for many, marking Paladina’s final meeting with the district. The former superintendent fought back tears as board members thanked him for his years with the district.
“I’m very proud of what this board has accomplished with you and your leadership,” board member Todd Jeffries said during the meeting Thursday night. “And I wish you the best of luck, even though you’re breaking my heart.”
Paladina expressed his gratitude to the board and the community, and said he’s leaving the district in good hands with Rocco.
“I mean, it was time,” Paladina said. “But it’s good to be going home, I’m excited.”
The district is conducting a search for candidates to permanently fill the role.
