Skip to main content
Fort Cherry School District
Language     
                      

Administration

Principal

Dr. Eric J. Lauver, High School Principal
Dr. Eric Lauver was appointed Principal at Fort Cherry High School in January 2025. Previously, Dr. Lauver served as the District's Director of Pupil Services from 2022–24, supervising special education, federal programs, nursing, guidance, English as a Second Language, and technology. Prior to his arrival at Fort Cherry, Dr. Lauver served as an Elementary Principal, High School Assistant Principal, and Middle School Assistant Principal at Trinity Area School District. During his tenure at Trinity, Dr. Lauver's schools were recognized for outstanding performance, including a Niche.com "Stand Out School" designation for outperforming expectations based on demographics; a CS Is Elementary First Mover School; top 10 designation in Pennsylvania math score growth as measured by the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System; and a stop on Governor Wolf's "Schools to Watch" tour.

Dr. Lauver has been successful in obtaining grant monies totaling near $1 million to date for STEAM and career readiness initiatives. Further, he has spoken, locally, statewide, and nationally on career development, teacher in the workplace programs, flipped learning, music composition, and electronic portfolios for students.

As a teacher, Dr. Lauver started his career at Boonsboro High School in Washington County (MD) Public Schools. During his tenure, the marching band was the Tournament of Bands Chapter XIII Group 4 Champion, and both the concert and symphonic bands received Superior ratings at adjudications. After Boonsboro, Dr. Lauver taught at numerous schools in the Bethel Park School District, teaching 4th and 5th grade band and 6th grade music. Dr. Lauver’s marching band résumé also includes time as the band director at Trinity High School, focused on improving performance, recruitment, and retention. During his tenure, the Trinity band achieved numerous first place distinctions. Additionally, Dr. Lauver served as an assistant band director in the Moon Area, Baldwin-Whitehall, and West Allegheny School Districts. Dr. Lauver still serves as an adjudicator for the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges, and he can be found in the field or press box during marching competitions on a number of fall weekends.

Dr. Lauver holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Duquesne University, a Master of Music in Performance degree from Duquesne University, a Master of Education with K–12 Principal emphasis from Pennsylvania Western University California, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Point Park University. Dr. Lauver lives in Southeastern Allegheny County with his wife, Rie, a math teacher in the McKeesport Area School District and his two school-aged sons, Alex and Aaron.

Assistant Principal

Ms. Jessica Cole, High School Assistant Principal

Ms. Jessica Cole was born and raised in Washington County. After graduating from Bentworth School District, she enrolled in Pennsylvania West University - California where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education: Social Studies. She later obtained her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration (K-12 Principal Emphasis) from Pennsylvania West University - California. 

Prior to being appointed Assistant Principal at Fort Cherry High School, Ms. Cole served as a high school Social Studies teacher within the district from 2020-2024. Within her tenure, Ms. Cole served various leadership roles including Co-Chair of the high school PBIS program, member of the Student Assistance Program, Chair of the district ACT 35 Civics Knowledge Exam,  Co-Sponsor of the Students in Action team, Senior Class sponsor, as well as a member of the National Honor Society selection committee. Most recently, Ms. Cole volunteered to lead The Challenge Program in partnership with Reaxis and the Governor’s Civic Engagement Award voter registration drive.

In Ms. Cole’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering with various organizations, traveling, attending concerts, and exhibiting livestock across the country.

One of Ms. Cole’s favorite things about being a member of the Fort Cherry family is getting to build relationships with our students, staff, and community and getting to celebrate their accomplishments in all facets of life! She is very excited to take this next step in her career and is ready to continue to do what is best for our district! Let’s go Rangers!  

Principal

Dr. Eric Lauver
High School Principal
Office: 724-796-1551 x 3001
Ms. Jessica Cole
Assistant Principal
Office: 724-796-1551 x 3003
© 2025. Fort Cherry Junior/Senior High School. All Rights Reserved.