Peters Township School District this week named Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nina Zetty to lead the district as its new superintendent.

Dr. Zetty, 49, of Luzerne, Fayette County, has been assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction and assessment at the district since 2006, shortly after Dr. Timm Mackley was hired as superintendent.

The district permanently severed its relationship with Dr. Mackley at the end of last month after a tumultuous 19 months ended with a buyout agreement between the district and Dr. Mackley, who has returned to his home in Groveport, Ohio, to seek another job. Dr. Mackley often found himself at odds with the school board and public over certain job duties, school security and other issues.

Many were critical about the four-year contract given to Dr. Mackley, including state Auditor General Jack Wagner, who called the $123,500 buyout a "waste of taxpayer dollars."

The school board on Monday approved a three-year pact with Dr. Zetty that includes an annual salary of $130,000, the same amount Dr. Mackley was making. She will be the highest paid administrator in Washington County.

"I certainly hoped it would happen," Dr. Zetty said of her appointment. "I'm glad that Peters Township recognizes my hard work and dedication to the district."

Dr. Zetty earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in secondary education and computer science from California University of Pennsylvania and received a doctorate from West Virginia University.

She spent eight years as a teacher with the Jefferson-Morgan School District in Greene County, before being named principal at Keystone Oaks High School.

In 1998, Dr. Zetty took a position as principal for Bentworth High School, and after four years was promoted to assistant to the superintendent.

Dr. Zetty and her husband, John, have two grown children and three grandchildren.

She said the issue that has loomed largest with parents is a lack of communication from the district.

Dr. Zetty said she aims to begin addressing that during an administrators retreat planned for tomorrow.

She said the district has healed from the rift involving Dr. Mackley, and will be on course to continue as one of the highest-performing districts in the state.

"We're ready to move forward to the next chapter," she said.