The Bellwood-Antis School Board said goodbye to one of the most influential leaders in school history last evening.
After 14 years of service as superintendent, Dr. Rodney Kuhns attended his last district meeting last evening, and was lauded by board members and district staff for his continued dedication to the Blue Devil system.
“You never kept us at mediocre,” said board member Donna Tyler, who was a board member when Kuhns was hired 14 years ago. “You were always wanting to push us to do better, and because of you, we have. Thanks Dr. Kuhns.”
Other board members and district personnel echoed Tyler’s comments. Almost everyone talked of how Dr. Kuhns began his employment in the district with a controversial building project and later more agitation with labor negotiations.
“But you’ve always held your head high,” said Ken Swanson, the district’s business manager, “and that kept our heads high as well.”
“I want to congratulate you Dr. Kuhns, for all the milestones in your life,” said middle school principal Robert Fisher. “Thank you for your support and guidance and reassurance over the past 14 years. I have certainly learned a lot from you. Thanks.”
“I’ve been through a lot of superintendents here at Bellwood-Antis, and I think they’ve all been fired except you,” joked high school principal Mike Sakash. “It’s been a good ride and I wish you the best in whatever you may do.”
“Doc, I can’t say enough about all the gray hair you’ve given me,” said the district’s business manager Ken Swanson. “It’s been a pleasure working with you and I wish you the best.”
“God bless you and Judy as you embark on your lives together,” said Terri Harpster, elementary school principal.
Kuhns said in his retirement, he will enjoy hunting and fishing, and continue with his exercise programs, including running and bicycling.
“I’ve had a great run here in Bellwood and we’ve done an awful lot of good things,” said Kuhns. “This is a wonderful district that has grown tremendously in the past 14 years. Now, you all must look to the future and continue the things we have started here.”
In his last report to the board, Dr. Kuhns offered a brief overview of the board’s recent trip to the White Township Recreational facility in Indiana County. He expressed his desire to see the board take the project concept and see where it goes. He said it is important for the board to create a cooperation with the surrounding community to make projects such as this happen.
“I just want to thank everyone for the opportunities of the last 14 years,” said Kuhns. “It’s been a good run and we’ve done a lot of hard work. I feel proud of all our accomplishments and I loved all the challenges. Thanks again.”
With the upcoming retirement of Dr. Kuhns, the board also took time to welcome G. Brian Toth, the incoming superintendent.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to become an active part of the Bellwood-Antis school family and community and return home to Central PA,” Toth, a former Altoona man, told The Daily Herald in June. “I am ready serve the district and community in the capacity of superintendent.”
Toth’s effective date was Monday and his salary is $90,000 a year.
Toth began his teaching career in the Altoona/Johnstown Parochial School system in 1983 at Sacred Heart School. He also taught at St. Mary’s School and Bishop Carroll High School.
Additionally, he taught mathematics courses for ten years at Mount Aloysius College and was a graduate teacher at Penn State University. He also taught mathematics for Waynesburg College. Toth’s main teaching areas are mathematics and computer science.
Toth and his family moved to western PA in 1992, when he accepted the position of math and computer teacher for the West Greene School District. After 3 1/2 years, he was appointed to the assistant high school principal position at Bentworth High School. In 1997, he took the position of assistant middle school principal in the Chartiers Valley School District.
Toth is a 1978 graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University in 1982. In 1990, he received his Master of Education Degree from then St. Francis College in Loretto and certifications to teach mathematics and general science. He embarked on doctoral studies in Mathematics education at Penn State before moving to Washington.
He received his secondary principal certification and Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania. In the Spring of 2003, he began his doctoral studies in Education Administration.
“Brian will do a great job for you,” Kuhns told the board.
“Right now, I’m in sponge mode and absorbing everything,” said Toth. “I want to take this time to thank Dr. Kuhns for all the direction he has given me over the past couple of days. I look forward to serving as your superintendent.”
Toth will be officially sworn in as B-A superintendent at a ceremony Friday in the chambers of Blair County Judge Jolene Kopriva.
