The former acting superintendent of Ambridge Area schools may be heading to the top post in a Westmoreland County school district.

Denise Shipe, former acting superintendent/assistant superintendent in the Ambridge Area School District, has been selected by Yough directors for the post, according to Diane Appolonia, president of the Yough school board.

The directors are scheduled to formally approve the appointment of Dr. Shipe to the $110,000-a-year position at a meeting tonight, Ms. Appolonia said.

"We have full agreement among board members," Ms. Appolonia said.

Dr. Shipe would succeed Lawrence Nemec, who retired effective June 30. Mr. Nemec, who served the Yough district as a teacher and administrator for 42 years, abruptly submitted his resignation to the school board in May.

Dr. Shipe, of Bethel Park, is scheduled to begin work Aug. 11 in Yough, which draws students from South Huntingdon and Sewickley townships and the boroughs of West Newton, Arona, Sutersville, Smithton and Madison.

The directors in June appointed high school Principal Earl Thompson to oversee the district's preparations for the 2008-09 school year, including the reopening of West Newton Elementary, which had been closed since 2006.

In Ambridge Area, Dr. Shipe assumed the dual superintendent duties when Superintendent Kenneth Voss left in October.

Last week, Ambridge Area directors named Erv Weischedel as superintendent. Dr. Weischedel had been the top administrator in the Cornell School District and previously was a building principal in the Hempfield Area district.

Dr. Shipe was one of 11 applicants and among four finalists at Yough. After resigning from Ambridge Area earlier this month, she twice visited the Yough district to evaluate operations and tour school buildings.

"Our board feels fortunate to be bringing in an experienced, extremely competent, curriculum-minded superintendent who earned a solid reputation for implementing changes that improved educational opportunities in the Ambridge district," Ms. Appolonia said.

"Our students in all grades have been forced to endure too many cuts in programs that surrounding school districts offer because of an uncertain fiscal situation. That impeded a student's opportunity to progress educationally and to eventually prepare for college.

"Dr. Shipe owns impressive credentials. Our board is committed to full cooperation to allow her to implement changes in curriculum and introduce educational opportunities that students and parents demand."