FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Changes are being made in the Franklin Area School District.

High school principal Gary Canfora will move to Central Elementary.

The change was the result of Central Elementary School Principal Matthew Siembida’s recent resignation to take a job in the Oil City School District at Hasson Heights Elementary.

“We’re sad to lose Matt, but it was a natural move for him because he is from Oil City and also lives there,” Franklin Area School District Superintendent Pamela Dye said.

Dye also announced that the junior and senior high schools are now combined.

“We decided it was a good time to do it because of the changes being made with the principals,” Dye said. “Now, we will have one head principal and two assistants.”

“The assistants will be dealing with curriculum and discipline, so we feel that will run better.”

Dye said some parents were concerned about seventh-grade students being in classes with 12th graders, but that will not happen.

Dye said seventh- and eighth-grade students will remain on the second floor of the building, and they will also be separated by their grades.

Dye said middle school students already come to the high school for classes such as Home Economics and Music along with Industrial Arts.

Middle school principal Christina Cohlhepp was appointed at Monday’s meeting to serve as the head principal for grades 7-12.

For grades 10-12, George Svolos will continue to serve as the assistant principal.

Dye said the district is going to hire an additional assistant principal for grades 7-9.

For now, an interim principal will be in charge of grades 7-9.

The savings to the district won’t be significant, according to Dye.

Cohlhepp’s pay rate, originally $79,297, plus $10,000 from federal Title I funds, will be increased by $4,500, Dye said.

Canfora’s salary will stay at $83,702.

The School Board held a special meeting Monday to approve the changes.

Dye said all administration changes will be in place by Aug. 24.