Mr. Michael Allison is the principal of Hopewell High School.  He began his administrative career on March 1, 1998 when he came to Hopewell High School as the Assistant Principal and in August of 2000 assumed his role as building principal.  Prior to coming to Hopewell, Mr. Allison served as a teacher in the South Side Area School District; where he was consistently challenged by his supervisors to take on roles as a teacher leader. He was a South Side High School teacher of Earth and Space Science as well as Physical Science for two years and then found his passion with seven years of teaching eighth grade science at South Side Middle School.  He also served as a boys and girls basketball coach at South Side.

Mr. Allison’s proudest educational moments come from knowing he has helped to shape the educational vision of his school community; from watching students receive their diplomas, knowing he had a role in their success; and from getting to congratulate each individual student at graduation. He views the principal’s job as a vocation demonstrated by his strong commitment to students and their success.  His driving passion is to build communication links to students and staff focused on serving each student’s needs as an individual.  Mr. Allison strongly believes that the Hopewell Area School District is a special community shaped by the work ethic of our grandparents and their histories in the factories of Beaver County and furthered strengthened by the strong ethnic connections and religious dedication of the families of our school community. He feels a strong connection to Hopewell and its families through his extended service to our school community.  Working with so many students through the years and now working with their children and knowing so many grandparents and aunts and uncles has created a unique connection that allows him to connect and further his relationships with our students, families and school community.

Mr. Allison earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education (Biology) from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 1989; a Master’s of Education degree in Educational Leadership and secondary principal certification from Franciscan University of Steubenville; and an elementary principal certification from Westminster College. He was also a member of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program for Educational Leaders (IDPEL) Cohort 2003 at Duquesne University. 

Since coming to Hopewell, Mr. Allison, has been an active leader in local, state and national principals associations.  He has served as the President of the MAC Principals Association; he has been on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) since 1999 and served as the Pennsylvania president during the 2007-2008 school year.  Recently, Mr. Allison was again elected to serve as President of PAESSP, which is now called the PA Principals Association, and he will assume that two year term beginning in October of 2018. Further, Mr. Allison has been published in the PAESSP magazine, The Pennsylvania Administrator, and has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Principal Leadership graduate program at Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH.

In 2010, Mr. Allison was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and culminated his work with NASSP by serving as the 2015-2016 national president of NASSP.  During his presidency, he was blessed to have the opportunity to go with a small cadre of American principals to China for a month to share educational best practices with principals across China.  Additionally, he has worked on numerous national committees; engaged in advocacy work with legislators in Washington D.C. promoting principals and the power of our public high schools; and he has presented at state principal conferences across the United States. 

Since 2010, Mr. Allison has been elected annually by his principal peers to the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Board of Directors and works as the association treasurer.  In July of 2018, Mr. Allison was elected to a position on the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Directors and looks forward to working with athletes, principals, and other school leaders from across Pennsylvania in this new role.

Mr. Allison resides in Findlay Township, with his wife, Michele, and their son, Alexei.  He always recognizes and thanks them for their support in his efforts to be an effective and dedicated principal!

Korri Kane has been with the Hopewell Area School District since 2007, as an Assistant Principal at the Junior Hih, and is currently the Elementary Principal for the district. She is a graduate of both Edinboro University and the University of Phoenix. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and Hearing Disorders and a Master’s Degree in Education. Mrs. Kane is an active member of the PA State and National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, The International Society for Technology in Education, and National and PA State Association of Elementary School Principals.  

Mr. Edward Katkich, a 1990 graduate of Aliquippa High School, obtained his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from West Virginia University.  Subsequently, he pursued his Master in Educational Administration from Youngstown State University.  Mr. Katkich is a long standing member of the National Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (NAESSP), Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NASCD), and the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD).

Since 1997, Mr. Katkich has proudly served as an employee of the Hopewell Area School District.  Following a brief, yet rewarding, five year tenure as a 7^th/8^th grade geography and social studies educator, Mr. Katkich joined the Hopewell Area School District’s Administrative Team as Jr. High Assistant Principal.  In 2005, he was promoted to Junior High Principal and continues to serve the Hopewell Learning Community in this capacity. 

Throughout his tenure of over 20 years with the Hopewell Area School District, Mr. Katkich has assisted in the development of the District’s Strategic, Safety and Special Education Plans.  Collaboratively with staff members, Mr. Katkich has worked to integrate curricular offerings to include STEAM oriented electives and various other courses focused on the application of skills gained within the core content.  He strongly believes that as an educational leader one should always listen to the voices of his/her students.  For if you wish to provide an engaging learning environment, an educational leader needs to decipher the interests of the young academicians in order to foster a truly meaningful curricula. 

Mr. Don Short, Athletic Director/Trainer at Hopewell Area School District has been named Pennsylvania Region IV Athletic Director of the Year. In 1988, he became a certified athletic trainer, earning his Athletic Administrator certificate in 2003. Mr. Short was hired as Hopewell Area School District’s athletic trainer in 1989 and has served as the district’s athletic director since 2002. Mr. Short is a graduate of Allegheny College and Aliquippa High School.

During Mr. Short’s tenure at Hopewell, he has supervised and coordinated four PIAA and 13 WPIAL team championships as well as numerous section championships.

Mr. Short’s proudest accomplishment during his 17 years as athletic director was his involvement with the district’s recently renovated Tony Dorsett Stadium. From its conception to completion, Mr. Short was actively involved with coordination, overseeing the daily construction.

Mr. Short has served as MAC President from 2011-2013. His memberships include WPIAL Sports Medicine, PSADA, and has served as WPIAL game manager for many soccer, football, and volleyball events.

Don currently resides in the Hopewell School District with his wife, Lynn.

Dr. Lynn Utchell began her educational career in 2004 as Hopewell Area School District’s first School Psychologist Intern. Following her internship she worked as a School Psychologist in Allegheny County for the Shadyside Academy Junior School and the Carlynton School District. Dr. Utchell proudly returned to the Hopewell Area School District in August of 2010 as the Director of Special Education.

Prior to beginning her career, Dr. Utchell earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Allegheny College and obtained both her Master of Science in Education and Doctorate in School Psychology from Duquesne University. Her educational focus has centered on the areas literacy and inclusion. She is a member of Pennsylvania and National Associations of Pupil Services Administrators, National Association of School Psychologists, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Beaver County Local Task Force.

Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and golden retriever. Dr. Utchell is dedicated to making sure ALL individuals find their purpose, passion and pride at Hopewell!