ALLENTOWN, PA — At its Thursday, May 9, 2024 meeting, the Allentown School District’s School Board of Directors approved the appointment of several new administrators ahead of the 2024-2025 school year.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome these leaders to our district and congratulate them on their appointments,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Allentown School District’s Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer. “As we continue to reimagine our District, I am confident that they will contribute to our continuous improvement efforts. I look forward to working closely with each of these amazing leaders.”
Jorge Delfin was appointed as Executive Director of Technology. With two decades of experience working in information technology for the U.S. Department of State, Delfin brings a wealth of expertise and innovative thinking to the role. Most recently, he served as Information Technology Office Director for the U.S. Department of State for seven years.
Delfin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. This position underscores the District’s commitment to preparing students for an ever-evolving world.
Dr. Jodi Frankelli will serve as the District’s new Executive Director of Early Learning. She brings extensive classroom and administrative experience to the position. Most recently, she served as Superintendent of the Palmerton Area School District. In this position, Frankelli will oversee the education of the district’s youngest learners.
Frankelli holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Shippensburg University. In addition, she holds a Master’s Degree in education from East Stroudsburg University and a Doctorate in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Cari Cantor will serve as the next Director of Federal Programs. She has extensive experience working with federal programs, most recently having served as the Director of Federal Programs in the School District of Philadelphia. Cantor brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to this critical role.
With a J.D. from the New England School of Law, Cantor offers a unique combination of legal and educational expertise. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Muhlenberg College and a Master’s Degree from Holy Family University.
Mark Weiss has been appointed to the role of Director of World Languages and MultiLingual Services. Weiss is an educational leader with more than 19 years of successful public education experience, specializing in language acquisition instruction. Having served the district in various capacities, including as a teacher, and English Learner Supervisor of Instruction, Weiss brings a deep understanding of the Allentown School District.
Weiss, a graduate of Dieruff High School, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in German and English from Bloomsburg University. He also holds two Master’s Degrees—one in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and one in Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University.
Jennifer Aponte will serve as the new Principal of the Dual Language Immersion Academy. She brings nearly two decades of experience in education, along with a commitment to fostering educational excellence through culturally competent strategies and robust parent engagement initiatives.
Aponte holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and French from Manhattan College. She has a Master’s Degree in Teaching Bilingual Childhood Education from Fordham University and a Master's Degree in educational leadership from Holy Family University.
In addition to the new leadership appointments, the board approved two internal shifts effective immediately through the end of the school year. Connor Hughes, Assistant Principal of Union Terrace, will serve as Acting Principal of Lehigh Parkway Elementary School. Dr. Ryan McCloskey, Supervisor of Instruction, will be the Acting Assistant Principal for Union Terrace. Kirk Hines, Dieruff High School’s current head custodian has been named Assistant Director of Facilities.
- High Schools