LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — While students are enjoying their summer break, one agency is leading the search to find the right candidate to lead three Lower Bucks County school districts.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit is leading the search process to find new superintendents to run school districts in Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, and Morrisville Borough.
All three school districts chose the Bucks IU to lead the recruitment, screening, and community engagement process for their searches.
In each search, the Bucks IU acts as a neutral facilitator, coordinating community input, advertising the position, recruiting candidates, and facilitating interviews.
All decisions regarding which candidates are interviewed, which candidates move forward to additional interview rounds, and ultimately to whom a final offer may be made rests solely with the district's elected board of school directors.
These are the positions of the three school districts on their superintendent searches:
Bensalem Township
The Bensalem Township School District, with 6,500 students across nine schools, is seeking a superintendent with a proven record in instructional leadership, finance, and school safety.
The next superintendent will be someone who is visible throughout the district, school officials said.
"As School Board President, I look forward to welcoming a Superintendent who leads with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to inclusive excellence," School Board President Deborah King said. "We are seeking a visionary and collaborative leader who will build trust, engage our community and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed."
The school district faced a "severe financial crisis" in which its deficit reached $16 million under the past administration. School directors are trying to prevent a repeat performance.
"The Board of School Directors is committed to finding a superintendent who will continue to move Bensalem Township School District forward while building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and our community," said Bensalem School Director Karen Winters, chairwoman of the board's search. "The Bucks IU's process allows our Board to focus on selecting the candidate who best reflects the priorities our community has identified in the many community focus groups they hosted in our schools."
Morrisville Borough
The School District of the Borough of Morrisville is seeking a "visible and engaged leader" who will be actively involved throughout the district.
The right leader is someone who can raise student achievement, steer strategic planning within budget and advocate for the district by fostering associations with local and state leaders, school officials said.
"Our Board is looking for a partner that understands the unique opportunities and challenges of a small school district," said Damon Miller, president of the Morrisville School Board. "We look forward to working with the Bucks IU as we identify a leader who will build on our strengths, support our students and staff, and help shape the future of our district."
Bristol Borough
The Bristol Borough School District recently opened its search by gathering community input through a survey on the strengths and leadership qualities residents most want to see in their next superintendent.
Similar to other searches, the Bucks IU will compile the results into a leadership profile that guides recruitment and screening, helping facilitate the board's interview and selection process.
"Every school district has its own strengths, opportunities, and aspirations, which means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting a superintendent," said Mark Hoffman, Executive Director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. "Our responsibility is to provide boards with a thoughtful, comprehensive process that engages their communities, attracts exceptional candidates, and helps ensure they select a leader who is the right fit for their district. We are honored to support one of the most important decisions a Board of School Directors can make."
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