Former S.V. Teacher Appointed to Nazareth School Board

After five candidate interviews and a failed motion to table a decision, the Nazareth Area School Board filled a seat left vacant by Chris Audenried, who resigned from his post after he was appointed to Nazareth Borough Council.

A 7-1 vote locked the seat for retired educator Dominic A. Villani of Upper Nazareth Township. He will finish Audenried’s unexpired term. Board member Jerry Treon voted in favor of Zackary Audenried, the son of Chris Audenried.

Villani told the board he spent six years inside the Nazareth Area School District when he was hired as a facilities consultant.

Villani worked for the Bethlehem Area School District for decades, and has also worked for the Saucon Valley School District, where he was once a teacher and coach according to his resume.

“I found Nazareth to be a very warm community,” he said. “I found the district to be somewhat different than what I was used to. I liked the community input. I liked the administrative style. I’d go home and tell my wife, 'Hey, Nazareth is where it’s at.'”

Villani is new to Upper Nazareth, having moved from Bethlehem a little more than a year ago. But he’s been a constant at Nazareth School Board meetings.

“I haven’t missed a school board meeting in 13 months,” he noted, adding that he rarely misses committee meetings. “You might call it a love affair, but I don’t want to get that mushy.”

Villani said he’s served at almost every level in the educational spectrum, has more than 20 years of central office experience, and was a member of a superintendent's cabinet.

“I have a passion for education,” Villani said. “I don’t come with an agenda. Some have an ax to grind. Some have a hidden agenda. … Others come because they want to be philanthropic, and that’s why I’m here.”

More about Villani:

Villani is married, has four children and five grandchildren.

Education:

East Stroudsburg University

- Bachelor of Science
- Master of Science

Employment:

• Facilities Consultant/Field Representative, D’Huy Engineering Inc., 10 years
  - Nazareth Area School District -- Assessment/Reorganization of Maintenance / Custodial Department; Construction of New Middle School; Installation of Synthetic Turf at Stadium; Construction of New Field House; Renovation of High Fitness Center.

• Bethlehem Area School District, 34 years
  - Liberty High School -- Teacher; Coach; Department Chairperson; Director of Intramurals; Director of Athletics.
  
  - Central Office -- Curriculum Coordinator; Director of Support Services; Director of Athletics/Co-curricular Activities; Director of Facilities Operation & Management; Oversight - Capital Improvement Program, Construction / Renovation; Facilities Lease Program; Security Department; Liaison to Community Organizations.

• Saucon Valley School District
  Teacher – Health/Physical Education; Social Studies; First Aid.
  Coach – Football and Track

• Allentown Central Catholic High School
  Teacher – Health & Physical Education, Civil Defense
  Coach – Football and Wrestling

• North Pocono School District
  Teacher – Health & Physical Education
  Coach – Football, Volleyball and Track