Cheri Minehan was appointed as Pioneer Middle School assistant principal at the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 15.
Mrs. Minehan starts her new job Nov. 12. For almost nine years, she has worked as a child psychologist at Delevan Elementary.
She succeeds Mark Drollinger, who departed over the summer to become principal in the Fredonia School District.
Mrs. Minehan grew up in Elma, and currently resides in Orchard Park with her husband Brian and two children, Mackenzie, 6, and Max, 4.
Her masters degree and Certificate of Advanced Studies in school psychology came from Northeastern University in 2008. She worked as a school psychologist in Massachusetts for two years before moving back home to raise her family.
Mrs. Minehan was hired by Pioneer during the 2010-11 school year. In 2017 she started in the School Leadership Certificate Program at the University of Rochester.
"I was fortunate to have completed my [administrative] internship in 2018 with experienced building and district-level leadership, including [current administrators] Tiffany Giannicchi, Mark Schultz, Michael Irizarry, Jeannene Wagner, and Jean Vallance," Mrs. Minehan said.
Mrs. Minehan joins Melissa Prorok (principal) and Kerry Slocum (assistant principal) on the Pioneer Middle School leadership team.
"As I embark on my new career path, I feel honored to remain in the Pioneer Central School District," Mrs. Minehan said. "I know many of the families already, and look forward to working with all teachers and staff, in order to help the students of Pioneer Middle School better themselves emotionally and academically."