Allentown, PA – July 24, 2025– At its Regular School Board Meeting held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Allentown School District School Board of Directors approved a number of strategic leadership appointments and transitions aimed at strengthening support for students, families, and educators across the District.
Each school year brings new opportunities to align talent with emerging needs and strategic priorities within our District. Several new and acting leaders will step into new roles to better align with the District’s mission to ensure access to a high-quality educational experience for all. Organizational change is a natural part of growth, especially in large, dynamic systems like public urban school districts. These changes reflect the District’s ongoing commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and student-centered leadership.
“These leaders bring a wide range of experience, insight, and passion to their new roles,” said Superintendent Dr. Carol D. Birks. “As we continue implementing our Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030, we remain focused on building a leadership team that reflects our commitment to academic excellence, efficient operations, and student success.”
We extend a heartfelt congratulations to the following individuals:
- Dr. Ajat Mehta will join the Allentown School District as the Executive Director of Research, Assessment & Accountability. A seasoned data strategist and K–12 education researcher, Dr. Mehta most recently led assessment and data systems for KIPP Capital Region in Albany, NY. He holds multiple advanced degrees from The Ohio State University and brings deep expertise in program evaluation, data governance, and continuous school improvement.
- Dr. Cattima Cirksey will join the District from New Bethany Ministries and become the Director of Family and Community Engagement. With a doctorate in Educational Leadership and extensive experience in social services and community-based programming, Dr. Cirksey has led strategic initiatives supporting housing, advocacy, and family partnerships across the Lehigh Valley.
- Ms. Dyann Jansen will move into the role of Acting Director of English Learner Services. Ms. Jansen currently serves as a Supervisor of Instruction for English Learner Services and is a longtime member of the Allentown learning community, previously serving as a Dean of Students
- Mr. Frank Derrick will lead the team at William Penn as the new Director of Alternative Learning, following the retirement of Ms. Susan Elliott earlier this year. Mr. Derrick has served as the Acting Principal of William Allen High School for the past three years, and previously served as the principal of South Mountain Middle School.
- Ms. Stephanie Williams will join the Allentown School District as Principal of Harrison-Morton Middle School. She brings more than 15 years of experience as a teacher and school leader in Philadelphia, most recently serving as Principal of Belmont Charter Middle School. She holds a Master of Science in Special Education from Chestnut Hill College and a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College.
- Dr. Alicia Knauff will temporarily serve as the Acting Principal at William Allen High School. Dr. Knauff joined the team this summer as the Principal of the 9th Grade Academy for William Allen High School. The District remains committed to finding a permanent principal for Grades 10-12 at William Allen High School.
- Ms. Anays Fuertes has been appointed Assistant Principal at Muhlenberg Elementary School. Ms. Fuertes currently teaches Science at Lehigh Valley Regional Academy Charter School and is completing her master’s degree in Educational Leadership at East Stroudsburg University. She brings additional background in mental health and early education to the District.
In addition to moves at the leadership level, the District is proud to welcome 67 teachers and 18 paraprofessionals ahead of the 2025–2026 school year. Their addition supports our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, culturally responsive instruction, and strong student-teacher relationships. By investing in high-quality teaching staff, ASD continues to grow its capacity to deliver rigorous, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences that meet the needs of every learner.
These individuals will start in their new roles in the coming weeks.
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