Jim Thorpe Area School District has named a new superintendent.

School board members voted 7-0 during a special meeting Monday night to appoint Robert Presley of South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, to be the district’s top administrator, at a salary of $122,000.

Presley has been a school administrator for 13 years, most recently serving as high school principal at Riverside Junior-Senior High School in Lackawanna County. He sees similarities between his old district and his new one.

“I love this area, and I’m excited about being a superintendent,” Presley said. “This district really seems like it fits with my experience.”

Before becoming an administrator, Presley was an elementary school teacher for 10 years. He has also worked as an administrator in the Mountain View School District in Lackawanna County.

The board chose Presley from 16 candidates who were considered when the board posted the superintendent’s position earlier this year. Former Superintendent John Rushefski’s contract with the district expires June 30, and the board did not offer an extension.

“We were blessed and fortunate to have had such a great list of candidates and a very competitive interview process,” said Scott Pompa, school board president.

Board member Cindy Lesisko Henning said that Presley stood out during a challenging selection process.

“I think he will bring exceptional results to current issues at JTASD and will be a strong leader. I’m excited to work with him,” she said.

Presley has submitted his resignation to his current employer, but they elected to hold him for 60 days. His exact start date at Jim Thorpe hasn’t been set.

Presley said he looks forward to getting to know the school community, learning what the district does well, and where it can improve.

He sees an opportunity to promote the district’s in-house cyber program to families currently enrolled in outside cybercharters.

Presley said he prides himself on fairness and focusing on what’s best for students.

“As long as everyone keeps that in mind that the students are the reason we’re here, the district runs well,” he said.