The Poland Board of Education approved the hiring of Andrew Tommelleo as interim superintendent during a meeting Thursday night.

He will fill out the remainder of Craig Hockenberry’s term, which ends July 31, 2026.

Hockenberry stepped down last month to focus on his battle against esophageal cancer. The board immediately went to work to select a person to finish out his term.

“We started about four weeks ago,” said Board President Gregg Riddle. “It was a nearly day-by-day process working with Traci Hostetler at the Mahoning County Educational Service Center.”

Riddle said the search led to Tommelleo, who heard about the opening and put his name in the hat. He said he is no stranger to Poland.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Poland board member Michelle Elia while serving on the State [Educational] Support Team,” he said.

Tommelleo is a former Liberty Schools superintendent who is working with Front Line Technology on school security issues.

“My heart has always been in education, and I thought this would be a unique opportunity to have an impact on the students and the community,” he said.

Tommelleo currently lives in New Castle, Pa., with his wife Bridget, but said he is only 20 minutes down the road. Bridget commutes as well as a Youngstown school teacher.

Tommelleo will receive $10,000 per month in salary to finish out the remaining months of the present school year. His contract will run from Jan. 1 to July 31, 2026. During that time the board will continue to seek candidates for superintendent commencing Aug. 1, 2026.

It was a special night for Elia, as it was the final meeting of her four years on the board. It was also the last meeting for Dr. Laurent Dinopoulos, who was ending 16 years of service.

“Dr. Dinopoulos has been involved in the hiring of six superintendents now,” Riddle said.

Dinopoulos welcomed Tommelleo, but presented one final bit of fun as a board member when he said, “Mr. Tommelleo, I want you to know the press is not here tonight for you. They are here for my retiring from the board.”