Ringgold superintendent remembered as great educator
Dr. Karen Polkabla
Ringgold Superintendent Karen Polkabla had a saying at work that district educators and administrators needed to remain focused on the “quality of excellence.”
Polkabla, who died in her home Thursday of natural causes, also had a soft spot for underachieving, underprivileged children, a coworker once said when she was principal of Donora Elementary Center in 2006.
“I think she was a great person and a great superintendent,” said Ringgold School Board President Carol F. Flament.
Less than two months ago, Polkabla beamed when she said the completion of a $38 million middle school in Carroll Township was her proudest accomplishment during her career.
“I love it,” she said for a story about the project in the Observer-Reporter.
Her record of public service included serving on Donora council for more than three decades, where she was known as a “good motivator of people,” borough Councilman John Conger said.
“She was such a great person for Donora and for Ringgold,” Conger said. “She was loved far and wide.”
Polkabla was named Ringgold’s assistant superintendent in 2007 and was promoted to superintendent five years later. She planned to retire June 30.
Polkabla was a daughter of Anthony and Margaret Polkabla and grew up on Waddell Avenue in Donora, a short distance from the elementary school where she began her teaching career in 1987 as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher. She became the school’s principal in 2000 after having taught math for a few years at Carroll Middle School, which also was part of Ringgold School District.
She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at California University of Pennsylvania.
Polkabla was scheduled Thursday to host a tour of the new middle school for other superintendents in the area, said Ringgold board member William Stein Jr. He said co-workers became concerned when she didn’t show up for work, and the district police chief called Donora police to check on her well-being, Stein said.
“She was an absolutely positive force for the children of our school district,” Stein said. “Her death will leave a hole in this district that will be felt for a long time.
“We have to pick up our bootstraps and keep up the quality of excellence,” he added.