Dr. John R. Mastillo

By KEVIN MCKEE

kmckee@lockhaven.com

MILL HALL– Dr. John R. Mastillo is the third candidate for Keystone Central School District superintendent, the district has revealed.

Dr. Mastillo is a former superintendent of Blacklick Valley School District in Nanty Glo, Cambria County, Pa., where he served as chief administrator of schools from July 2010 until June 2017.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mastillo has also served as a grade level math and science teacher, an assistant elementary principal and a full principal of elementary summer school, as well as an interim special education supervisor and a head wrestling coach.

The bulk of his experience comes from two districts: New Caney Independant School District in New Caney, Texas, and Blacklick Valley School District.

Dr. Mastillo began working for New Caney ISD in July 2000, and left in March 2010 for Blacklick, where he worked until last June.

New Caney ISD is a 16-building school district, and is within the Houston metropolitan area.

Among his listed achievements from New Caney, Dr. Mastillo cites the following:

r “District energy conservation monitor,” resulting in “$431,796 savings during the initial year, represented in 14 campuses and multiple support and athletic facilities.”

r “Assistant principal of Pre-K” across 5 campuses, at a maximum of 820 students.

r “Established incentives to promote employee morale and attendance.”

r “Introduced ‘book study’ with staff to explore educational theory.”

r “Trained staff in ‘Freedom from Harassment’ and Child Abuse.”

Dr. Mastillo also lists a large number of accomplishments from his time at Blacklick SD, including:

r “Worked with business manager to reduce the budget by $1.2 million for the 2017/18 school year,” out of a “$12 million budget.”

r “Worked with high school principal to develop programs to reduce cyber school numbers.”

r “Increased Elementary School Performance Profile score from 51.6 (15/16) to 73.0 (16/17), and Jr. Sr. High School Performance score from 56.3 (15/16) to 70.0 (16/17).”

r “Implemented cyber academy/CPDLF program,” to “recapture students to the district.”

r “Promote the implementation of advanced placement, dual credit, and college readiness courses.”

Dr. Mastillo was also involved in the co-creation of the Valley Network, to help “address professional learning opportunities for staff.”

He holds a number of certifications, including a Pa. Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility, as of 2009, and a Tx. Superintendent Certificate, as of 2008. Among others, he also holds a Pa. Elementary Education Certificate (K/6), as of 1989.

Dr. Mastillo received both his Masters and Doctorate from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, but his Bachelor of Science, in Elementary Education, came from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pa.

His Masters was in Educational Leadership, as was his Doctorate, with a dissertation entitled “Administrator Perceptions of the Pennsylvania Teacher Evaluation System and its Impact on Professional Development.”

As a researcher and presenter, Dr. Mastillo lists a presentation on the “Valley Network: Embarking on New Horizons,” a book awaiting editing and publishing entitled “Authenticity: Finding the Real You,” and a presentation made to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education and the Center for Schools and Communities on “reshaping public education to better serve students and make education relative, hence reducing/eliminating student drop-outs.”

He also appears to frequently attend professional development conferences and workshops, including diverse topics such as “Social Media for natural Disaster Response and Recovery,” “Making Science Fun with Steve Spangler,” “4 Block Literacy Model Training,” and “Great Teachers Make Great Schools.”

Dr. Mastillo maintains many professional affiliations, including the Pa. Association of School Administrators, the Pa. School Boards Association, the Pa. Association of Rural and Small Schools, the Ebensburg Rotary, the Cross Cut Church, and the Johnstown Area Regional Industries: Business and Education Consortium.

He is also a board member of the Central Pa. Digital Learning Foundation.

After visiting with Keystone schools and with staff, he will appear at a public forum at 7 p.m. this Wednesday in the Central Mountain Middle School auditorium.