Kenneth J. Kerchenske, a lifelong resident and alumnus of Cambria Heights, has been serving the district since 2005 and took on a leadership role in 2013. As a high school principal and superintendent, Ken has overseen multiple energy efficiency and clean energy projects aimed at saving the district money and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. His efforts began when he was Cambria Heights High School’s principal, with the installation of geothermal wells to help heat and cool the building as part of a comprehensive school renovation. In 2023, as electricity rates increased, the district sought innovative ways to save money and decided to pursue solar energy. The following year, a solar developer was chosen to build a ground array at the middle school/high school campus. Additionally, Cambria Heights is considering installing a rooftop solar array at its elementary school as part of an ESCO project.
Despite the area’s history in coal mining, Ken is committed to establishing Cambria Heights as a leader in clean energy. The district has become one of the first Pennsylvania schools to seek assistance from Generation180 and the PA Solar Center for free technical support, demonstrating its commitment to embracing clean energy initiatives and creating job opportunities for the future.
In addition to his partnerships with Generation180 and the PA Solar Center, Ken serves as Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8’s representative on the Board of Governors for the PA Association of School Administrators and is a member of the Saint Francis University Rural Education Alliance for Leadership (REAL) Institute’s Advisory Committee.