Karen Dopera, whose credentials include teaching and administration in the Allentown School District, has been named Schnecksville Elementary School principal.

At the Sept. 24 board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman reported a nine-member district interview committee reviewed the applications from 35 individuals.

They narrowed the list down to four finalists before selecting Dopera.

"Mrs. Dopera conveyed a warm understanding of the elementary-age child," Troutman said. "She recognizes the need to involve staff and parents in the community. Her references indicated her attention to detail."

An Allentown native, Dopera attended Union Terrace Elementary School and graduated from William Allen High School. She earned a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Master's in curriculum and instruction from Kutztown University. She received her supervisor of curriculum and instruction and principal's certifications from Lehigh University.

Presently, Dopera is principal at Jefferson Elementary School in Allentown. Prior positions include principal at Lehigh Parkway, assistant principal at Ritter, and elementary school teacher, all in the Allentown School District.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak commented on her appointment.

"Karen's background, skills, and overall personality will complement the Schnecksville community very well," Sniscak said. "She demonstrated a wealth of knowledge in using research-based educational strategies to meet every child's needs."

Dopera addressed the school directors after her introduction and approval by the board.

"Thanks very much," Dopera said. "I'm very excited."

She replaces William Bowen who resigned to take a position in another school district after 10 years at Schnecksville.

Her annual salary will be $97,000.

In other business, Troutman announced Parkland School District received silver medal recognition in the 2013 Best High Schools in America survey from U.S. News and World Report.

The award was based on class size ratio, college readiness including the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses, and scores from state standardized math and reading tests.

Parkland was 55th out of 687 high schools in Pennsylvania and 1,834th out of 22,000 in the U.S.

"This is a great distinction and we are very proud of our high school," said board President Jayne Bartlett.

Troutman said 89 percent of Parkland graduates go on to college.

"We always strive to improve the number of students who are college and career ready," said the assistant superintendent.

High School Principal Jim Montz accepted a plaque and announced the school will be aiming for gold status in the next report.