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<p>DALLAS TWP. &#8212; Greg Riley had been appointed as Dallas High School assistant principal without proper state certifications, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Press Secretary Nicole Reigelman confirmed.</p><p>But Riley&#8217;s status has been explained to the state, and the certification has since come through, Superintendent Tom Duffy said.</p><p>In an email explaining the situation, Reigelman said, &#8220;The district has informed PDE that Mr. Riley has passed the required Praxis test, completed the Principal program at Delaware Valley (University in Doylestown) and had a letter from the university stating that he had met all requirements for certification.&#8221;</p><p>Riley was appointed at the May 12 meeting to assume the job effective July 1, and Duffy said that was done with the understanding that the certification had to be completed. Duffy said Riley was the best applicant for the slot, and the district was confident from his paperwork that the certification would come through.</p><p>Reigelman said the district had assured PDE that Riley would not do any supervisory duties before getting the certificate, and Duffy noted the appointment began in summer with no students or staff to supervise.</p><p>State requirements are the same for principals and assistant principals including the need for an administrative certificate.</p><p>While the requirements are straightforward, PDE has shown leeway. When Charles Suppon Jr., the son of Wyoming Valley West Superintendent Charles Suppon, was made an assistant principal in that district, PDE confirmed Suppon Jr. lacked full certification for the post.</p><p>But then-Acting Deputy Secretary Theresa Lynn Barnaby said via email that in such situations PDE &#8220;will call the district to discuss it with them. Very often, or usually, we find out that the person is qualified and that there has been a misunderstanding of the circumstances&#8221; involving the position or the credentials.</p><p>Duffy said that there was an apparent delay in finalizing Riley&#8217;s certification, but that &#8220;as of today I have a certificate effective July 1.&#8221;</p><p>Riley was appointed as assistant principal with a salary of $70,000. At the same meeting, the board named Jason Rushmer as high school principal. Former High School Principal Jeffrey Shaffer has been made director of secondary curriculum and middle school principal.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Riley_Greg_2_mug_toned2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Riley </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Riley_Greg_2_mug_toned2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Riley </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Required certification came after hiring</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Required certification came after hiring for new Dallas assistant principal