Baugh Elevated To Superintendent Of Schools

David Baugh, assistant superintendent of since Oct. 2009, is the district's new top administrator.

The school board Wednesday awarded Baugh a four-year contract as superintendent, succeeding Bill Gretzula, who recently stepped down and took another administrative position. Baugh will be paid $159,000 in the first year of the deal.

After the meeting, board President Heather Nicholas said she and her colleagues decided against advertising the district's top vacancy in the wake of Gretzula's June announcement.

“We just decided to keep it in-house and make sure we had a continuum. He's aware of our initiatives,” she said.

Asked if the board would be hiring a new assistant superintendent, Nicholas said the board would discuss its options when Baugh returns to the office next week.

Baugh, who was unable to attend Wednesday's meeting because of a previously scheduled family commitment, sent a letter saying he is “extremely honored and proud.”

“While I can honestly say I don't think I know anyone that could fill Dr. Gretzula's shoes, I can offer you another set of shoes that will walk far and carry the load with vision, diligence and integrity,” he wrote.

“Earlier this year I chose to stay in Bensalem to continue to be of service to the dynamic and exciting work that was being led by Dr. Gretzula and his team. I am pleased to have been a part of that work because I firmly believe it is the right work. Students are achieving at unprecedented levels, teachers are teaching at high levels, fiscally we run a lean but strong operation and, most importantly, members of the district at all levels are contributing to positive change...”

Baugh earned his doctorate at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He earned his master’s of humanities degree with emphasis in psychology and philosophy from the University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Scotland; a master’s of science degree in special education from the State University of New York; and a master’s of science degree in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Baugh began his education career as an itinerant teacher for the visually impaired in 1986. He has held various teaching positions in the Upper Darby School District and was appointed assistant principal in 2001 and principal in 2002. From 2005 to 2009, he served as principal at the K-8 Dr. Tanner G. Duckrey School in Philadelphia.

He is an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University.

June 8 after two years in the position and was immediately granted his wish by the school board to return to the classroom. However, about a month later, it was announced he would serve as supervisor of curriculum and instruction – professional development and assessment.

Gretzula said it was his intention to teach but the administration felt his experience was better utilized in administration. And he added he thought the change would still allow him to spend more time with his family, which was his motivation in resigning as superintendent.

Gretzula will provide transition services through the end of August, meaning he will continue to earn his normal pay, which comes to about $166,000 annually, until September, when his salary will drop to $112,610.

In other business Wednesday, the board hired Monica McHale-Small as director of pupil personnel, succeeding Ann Marie Klibert, who has resigned after 38 years with the district. McHale-Small will be paid $124,754.

She leaves the position of director of secondary teaching and learning for the Springfield (Pa.) School District. Before that, she worked from 2003 through 2008 as the supervisor of student services for the West Chester (Pa.) Area School District. She also has served as school psychologist in the Upper Darby, Cornwall-Lebanon and the West Chester Area school districts.

McHale-Small received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Cabrini College, a master's of education in psychological services; and her doctorate in philosophy, psychology in education, interdisciplinary studies in human development from the University of Pennsylvania.

She served on the executive board of the National Association of Pupil Services Administrators from 2006 through 2010.

McHale-Small, who could not attend Wednesday's meeting, sent an e-mail saying she is “deeply honored” to be joining a district that is “clearly dedicated to meet the varied needs of all of their students.”