Carbon County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Matika on Monday night swore in Christina Fish, who was hired two weeks ago as Lehighton Area School District’s next superintendent.

Fish took the oath of office in front of several members of her family.

Lehighton voted 6-2 on June 27 to hire Fish to a contract running through Aug. 31, 2025. According to the contract, Fish, who has spent the last 12 years as Central Columbia’s director of pupil services/special education, will make $132,500 in her first year with Lehighton as well as receive a $7,500 signing bonus. She is set to receive a 3% increase in each of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years.

“This is one of the board’s most important tasks,” Board President Joy Beers said Monday of the superintendent selection. “We’re looking forward to a brighter and more hopeful future where reoccurring issues of past are put to rest.”

Beers said the district wanted a superintendent who could focus on issues of student safety and financial responsibility.

“Of all the candidates, Ms. Fish met those requirements the best,” Beers said. “This district previously did not have a Title IX officer and was not up to date on training. Ms. Fish is the Title IX officer in her current district and is well-versed in laws regarding student protection and how they are effectively implemented.”

Fish joined Central Columbia in 2010 as special education director. In addition to Title IX officer, she is the district’s Office of Civil Rights officer, homeless liaison, and foster care liaison. She also worked for the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit for 17 years; six as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, one as an educational consultant in behavior and curriculum & instruction, and 10 as a special education supervisor.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to help Lehighton move forward,” Fish said after the June 27 meeting. “I’m excited to work with the staff, teachers and administration to do what is right for the kids. This is a wonderful district.”