Southern Local Director of Special Services Laura Krulik will have a new position this fall as she heads to the Utica Shale Academy as its new assistant superintendent.

SALINEVILLE — Southern Local Director of Special Services Laura Krulik will have a new position this fall as she heads to the Utica Shale Academy as its new assistant superintendent.

Krulik, who has served Southern Local for the past 15 years, will begin the post on July 1 and said she hopes to make an impact with a new population of students.

“I will try to support students with special needs with intervention specialists and related service providers,” she said.

Krulik, a 2003 SLHS graduate, obtained a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus on political science and a minor in special education from Bethany College, as well as a master’s degree in teacher leadership from Walden University and a second master’s degree in administration from Franciscan University. She returned to her roots as a full-time substitute teacher at Southern and then spent five years working as an intervention specialist in the junior-senior high building before being named director of special services in 2015. She and her husband, SLHS Assistant Principal Jess Krulik, have two grown children, Logan and Lily, and she said she was ready for a new challenge.

“I went into administration pretty young and I’d made the decision to work with [the Ohio State Support Team], but this opportunity came up,” she said. “Some things fell into place this year and it was time for a change. Moving from the director of special services to assistant superintendent is going to be different.”

USA, which is located in Salineville, offers blended learning with online studies through the Virtual Learning Academy provided through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, as well as career-tech training to earn National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) certifications. The site is adding seventh- and eighth-grade classes at the newly acquired Williams Collaboration Center on East Main Street with introduction and safety courses and chances for students to explore career opportunities, while grades 9-12 delve deeper into training in megatronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, AC/DC electric, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), welding, diesel mechanics and horticulture. Facilities include the Energy Training Center, Hutson Building and outdoor welding lab, which are also located on East Main Street and train both students and adults, and the Utica Shale Academy Community Center on Church Street that features a gym and community services. USA currently has about 200 students but anticipates growth with the addition of the junior high classes.

Krulik has assisted the community school for the past six years and said much of that work will continue, but with some added obligations.

“I worked with Utica Shale as an intervention specialist and wrote [Individualized Education Plans]. It’s added more responsibility every year and I’ve done gifted and special education, the same thing I’ve done at Southern. It’s a completely new position they’ve created and [USA Dean of Students] Carter Hill handles academics, behaviors and testing, and I will take on some of those duties.”

While at Southern, she has been actively involved with Southern Local High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame, its alumni banquet committee and also organized the annual district showcase. As she looked back on her time there, she said she has enjoyed the experience immensely.

“I’m sad to leave my kids and the staff, but I believe I’m leaving them in capable hands,” she said, adding she would assist with the change to her currently unnamed successor. “The intervention specialists can take care of the kids and will do a good job. It will be a smooth transition.”

Southern Local Superintendent Tom Cunningham wished Krulik well and said she would tremendously benefit the Utica Shale Academy.

“It’s difficult to lose quality people, but this is a great opportunity for Mrs. Krulik,” Cunningham said. “She has made a positive impact at Southern, not just as our special ed director, but in everything she does for the community, staff, students and parents. She will be a major asset for the Utica Shale Academy.”

Meanwhile, USA Superintendent Bill Watson welcomed her aboard and said she had plenty of experience to offer the community school.

“We’re really excited to have Laura Krulik join USA. Laura is known for her dedication and hard work, and she has this amazing ability to get everyone excited about making a difference. We can’t wait to see the energy and positive vibes she brings to our team and students,” Watson concluded.