UPDATE: The Belle Vernon Area School Board approved Wilkinson's hiring, 9-0, on March 12.

"I have been and will always be dedicated, loyal, and indebted to the Baldwin-Whitehall community and district for the opportunity to serve the last seven years of my career," Wilkinson said.

"Parents, thank you for the opportunity to serve, champion and advocate for your children and assist them in reaching their goals."

Dr. John D. Wilkinson, the Baldwin-Whitehall School District's assistant superintendent of secondary education since 2007, has accepted the position of head superintendent of the Belle Vernon Area School District.

Wilkinson, who has been with Baldwin-Whitehall overall since 2005, said that the Belle Vernon Area School Board is expected to approve his hiring on March 12.

His first day of work for Belle Vernon will be July 1, this year. He will continue to work for Baldwin-Whitehall until then, he said.

Wilkinson replaces Stephen V. Russell at Belle Vernon. Russell has been that school district's superintendent since November 2008.

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