Superintendent's Office

Dr. Janet Sardon officially began her tenure as superintendent of West Jefferson Hills School District on August 8, 2022.
 
A Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, she was appointed to the district’s top leadership position in a unanimous vote by the WJH Board of School Directors on June 7. Dr. Sardon spent  two months preparing for her new role, while also finishing her duties as superintendent of Yough SD.  Time was spent meeting administrators, teachers, staff and community members to help provide for a smooth transition in early August.  Starting in August, she has had the opportunity to attend school events, extracurricular activities, PTA meetings, and Chamber of Commerce meetings.  Collaboration with local law enforcement, local governmental officials, and councils is imperative to building strong relationships.  Her hope is to quickly learn the community, district, and school culture to continue to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
 
Dr. Sardon began her career in education as a special education teacher and brings nearly 30 years of public education experience to the district.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sardon home!” exclaimed Kimberley Finnerty, president of the WJH School Board. “The Board believes she possesses the characteristics and varied experiences that will enable her to be a strong, progressive leader for our students, staff and community. She has a tremendous breadth of knowledge about our district and is aware of our short-and long-term achievements and challenges. During the superintendent search process, we engaged several district and community stakeholder groups who provided valuable input on the traits and skills they believed were necessary for a candidate to be successful. Dr. Sardon's lifelong focus on student achievement aligns with the district's core values and the feedback we received."
 
A resident of the West Jefferson Hills SD most of her life, Dr. Sardon is an experienced educator with exemplary communication skills who is an active, visible leader for students, parents, caregivers and the WJH community. 
 
"As a lifelong student, resident and supporter of the West Jefferson Hills School District, I am excited about working collaboratively with the school board, administration, staff, students, parents, community and businesses,” Dr. Sardon stated. “As an educational leader, I’m passionate about giving back to a district that has given me so much from childhood through adulthood. My goals and ambitions are to continue the tradition of excellence in providing superior educational opportunities for students, while preparing them to reach their dreams, goals and fullest potential, in whatever path their future may hold.”
 
Dr. Sardon served as the superintendent of the Yough School District since 2011 prior to matriculating to WJHSD. Among her accomplishments as Yough superintendent was fostering a positive, collaborative environment for all staff, implementing long-term strategic plans that encompass all areas of school district functions, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and creating the Yough Helpful Hands Committee, a team comprised of administration and community members that works to make a difference in the lives of others. 
 
Yough was recognized by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as one of the region’s Top Workplaces for Mid-Sized Companies from 2014-20 and again earlier this year.
 
Dr. Sardon served as superintendent of the West Mifflin School District for nearly two years prior to becoming the Yough superintendent. She joined the West Mifflin SD administrative team as assistant superintendent in January 2007. Dr. Sardon began her career as a special education teacher in the South Allegheny SD, later serving as the district’s middle school dean of students, middle school principal and high school principal for four years. She then joined the McKeesport Area SD as Director of Information Services and Technology Integration.
 
In 2021, Dr. Sardon was honored with the University of Pittsburgh’s Distinguished Pre K-12 Educator Award. She serves as Chairman of the Westmoreland County Health Consortium and is a board member with the Pennsylvania Association of Small and Rural Schools (PARSS). In 2018, she received the Dr. Jean Winsand Distinguished Women in Education Award. Dr. Sardon was an adjunct faculty member in the Robert Morris University Education Department for two years during her tenure at West Mifflin.
 
Dr. Sardon graduated Summa Cum Laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. She earned a master’s degree and doctorate in educational administration from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as secondary principal certificate and superintendent letter of eligibility. 
 
Dr. Sardon resides in Jefferson Hills with her husband, Robert. Their daughter, Arionna, attended Gill Hall Elementary School, Pleasant Hills Middle School and graduated from TJHS. Her childhood home with parents Jack and Donna Ward was on Old Clairton Road, near Pleasant Hills Public Library, where she frequently visited. Dr. Sardon attended Pleasant Hills Elementary School. She was a member of the middle and high school bands, playing clarinet, oboe and mellophone.