Rod Troutman, assistant to the superintendent for educational programs at Parkland School District and former principal at both Springhouse and Orefield middle schools, was promoted to assistant superintendent at Tuesday night's school board meeting.

The school directors  approved a five-year contract for Troutman, 46, of North Whitehall, who will step into his new role July 1.

Troutman will replace Richard Sniscak, who will take over as district superintendent at the same time.

"You and Rich will make an extraordinary team," school director Roberta Marcus told Troutman, who sat in the audience with his wife, Jill, and daughter, Brooke, as the appointment was made.

Superintendent Louise E. Donohue, who will be retiring at the end of the school year, said Troutman's promotion was well-deserved. She said he has a strong work ethic and strong listening skills and that he "steps up" to help the administration work through issues. 

"He just gets the job done," she said. 

Troutman has worked closely with Sniscak before, at Parkland High School, when he took the job as an assistant principal in 1995. Sniscak was athletic director and assistant to the principal there, before becoming principal of the new high school in 2001 and later moving into the district administration.

Troutman taught history in New Jersey before taking the assistant principal job at the high school. He later became principal of Springhouse Middle School, serving more than five years, then principal of Orefield Middle School, serving three years. In 2006, he was named assistant to the superintendent for educational programs.

"I do appreciate your vote of confidence," Troutman told the board after the vote. "I will always do my best."

He said people don't get to such positions without others behind them.

"My wife's my rock," he said, noting that his wife and daughter were at the meeting with him. "It's a special night for me."

The six directors who approved Troutman's appointment were board President Jayne Bartlett, Roberta Marcus, Lisa Adams, Barry Long, Robert Bold and Mark Hanichak, who attended the meeting via conference call.  Directors David Kennedy, Debra Evans and Robert Cohen were not present.

Those in attendance gave Troutman a standing ovation after the vote.

Troutman received his bachelor's degree in social studies/secondary education from Kutztown University and his master's in educational administration from East Stroudsburg University. He received his doctoral degree in educational administration and leadership from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

 Troutman will earn $135,000 as assistant superintendent for the 2011-2012 school year. Sniscak will earn $152,000 as superintendent.