Mr. Eric Kostic

What if your workday began at 7:00 am and didn’t end until 10:30 pm? Most would say, “No one could survive that schedule.” Yet for the past two fall seasons, this scenario has been the regular Friday routine for Mr. Eric Kostic, principal of Saltsburg Middle High School. Why such long hours? Along with his role as principal, he leads the fighting Trojans as the head football coach! Not only has he survived, but also thrived. His enthusiasm and dedication combine to make him exceptional in both positions.

Mr. Kostic grew up here in the Churchill area. He attended Mercyhurst College to earn a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and then began teaching in Maryland. While teaching, he coached varsity football, as well as track, wrestling, and basketball at various times. In addition, he earned his Master’s of Administration and Supervision at Bowie State University in Maryland. About seven years ago, he and his wife wanted to move back to Pennsylvania to be near family and friends. He then coached football at Latrobe High School for three years.

Upon accepting the position of principal at Saltsburg in 2004, Mr. Kostic gave himself a year without coaching to devote his time to administrative duties. For the past two years, however, he has been the driving force of the varsity football team. He explains, “It’s a joy and a passion of mine to teach the game of football. It’s my hobby.” He brings to the Trojans a background of coaching outstanding football teams in Maryland and 15 years of coaching overall.

Mr. Kostic feels honored to be part of the Saltsburg community and an award winning school district. The middle high school has received the PSSA Keystone School Achievement Award for the past three years for adequate yearly improvement. In addition, the district was awarded with the extraordinary recognition of being one of the 55 highest performing schools in the state based on a variety of data. That means being in the top 55 out of 501 school districts.

Mr. Kostic highlights two programs he is particularly excited about at Saltsburg. The first is a new PTSA, Parent Teacher Student Association. This organization has been working to involve more parents and community members in school activities than ever before. The second, the Challenge Program, functions to stimulate academic achievement. Sponsored by an organization in Johnstown, the students are given monetary awards for achievement that encompasses academic improvement, community service, and exemplary attendance. Additional awards are given to the highest performing students and those who show the most academic improvement. Mr. Kostic worked with the faculty to bring the program to the school this year.

With all of the time committed to school activities, Mr. Kostic is grateful for a supportive family. He and his wife, Karyl, have been married ten years and have three daughters. Jessica is eight, Kaylin, seven, and Abigail is three years old. Mr. Kostic enjoys attending the girls’ extracurricular activities and somehow finds time to work on his own studies. Currently he is enrolled in the doctorate program at Indiana State University.

Mr. Kostic notes that Saltsburg excels as a giving community. “We have been doing a lot for the blood bank, and we raise money for Children’s Hospital every year. In addition, this year Mr. Kostic initiated the fundraising for an organization called, “Treasures for Children,” which gives needy children Christmas presents. Amazed by the school community’s generosity, Mr. Kostic says, “People here have a strong set of values and beliefs. Their sense of providing and giving to others is astounding. It’s nice to see that people would give the shirts off their backs to help others.”

Believing that continuity brings strength, Mr. Kostic encourages his teachers and staff to “keep getting better every day at what they do.” He believes in developing goals and sticking with them, not changing, as he says, “for the sake of change.” His words express sincere appreciation for the excellence already attained by the faculty. Moreover, he adds, “The faculty and staff here are just tremendous. They are fabulous to work with. The staff, in turn, appreciates having an administrator of Mr. Kostic’s caliber at the helm. His ardent devotion is equally evident in both coaching and administrating. He sets the standards high and works at all levels to accomplish them. He is confident that Saltsburg will continue to accomplish great things.