Wilmington school directors Monday hired William C. Lyon of New Wilmington as high school principal and Susan C. Wiegand, Allison Park, Pa. as special education supervisor.

The principal’s position has been open since June, when Andrew Tommelleo resigned to take the helm at Shenango High School in Lawrence County. Lyon has been the principal at Ellwood City High School for two years. Before that, he was assistant principal there for three years. He taught in the New Castle School District for 23 years.

School directors approved a salary for him of $70,000 for 2000-01 and $73,000 for 2001-02, beginning July 1.

Nancy Hutchison was the only school director voting no. She said her vote was "no reflection on the candidate, but rather a reflection on the financial situation of the district." Steven Warner and Scott McGrath were absent.

Lyon has lived in the Wilmington Area School District for 24 years. He and his wife have three children. Two have graduated from Wilmington, and one is in eighth grade.

Lyon’s starting date is not yet known. He said Ellwood City could hold him to his contract there for up to 60 days.

Ms. Wiegand will start today and will be paid $53,000 a year.

She recently had a one-year position as adaptation specialist in Sharon City School District, training teachers in regular education how to make adjustments for special education students. Prior to that, she worked for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for 20 years.

Mrs. Hutchison was again the only school director voting no. She repeated that her vote was no reflection on the candidate, but rather her belief that the district should have shared the position with Grove City-based Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV to save money.