Jun 2, 2017 2 min read

Paul Kostelnik is leaving Washington School District for an opportunity he couldn’t resist.

“I was looking for (something in) the middle school age group, a group that I think is magical. I also wanted to be in front of more kids, and be a role model for them.”

That will happen. Kostelnik, 39, Washington High’s principal for the past 2 ½ years, will be a co-principal at Trinity Middle School in the upcoming academic year.

Trinity Area School Board hired him in a 9-0 vote Thursday night at an annual salary of $89,000.

He will officially start work there July 1.

Kostelnik is leaving Washington after 12 years. He was interim principal at the middle school for one year before assuming the top high school position, and was the cyberschool principal before that.

This move, he freely admitted, has some bitter with the sweet.

“My Senior Day is (Friday),” he said, referring to his current position. “It’s going to be tough breaking this to the kids. I love the kids and love the opportunity I’ve been given there.”

Kostelnik pointed out enrollment was a factor in this decision. “Trinity has three times as many kids as Washington. As an educator, you want to be in front of as many kids as possible.”

He also praised the STEAM program (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) at Trinity. “I’ve seen the rooms they have. They’re building life-sized robots.”

A 1996 Chartiers-Houston graduate, Kostelnik lives in Canonsburg and has two sons, 8 and 6.

Without prompting, Kostelnik stressed one more time this is not an easy transition.

“I’m leaving lot of good people (at Washington),” he said. “It’s a great place and I’m thankful for being there, but I’m excited about this opportunity (at Trinity).”