Central Bucks To Vote On Separation Agreement With Superintendent

DOYLESTOWN, PA — At its final meeting before the board’s reorganization in December, the outgoing Central Bucks School Board is expected to approve a mutual separation agreement and release with Superintendent Dr. Abram Lucabaugh.

Under other business at tonight’s school board meeting, the board will consider a motion to release Dr. Lucabaugh from his contract effective at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and to give him a severance package totaling more than $600,000.

The board will also consider a second motion to appoint Dr. Charles Malone as interim superintendent effective Nov. 15. Dr. Malone is the district’s assistant superintendent of secondary education. If the motion passes, he would be paid a stipend of $6,500 per month plus his regular salary to do the job.

“This will allow the new school board, which will be seated on Dec. 4, to select a new superintendent for the school district,” reads a mutually agreed upon statement by the board majority and Lucabaugh included in the separation agreement. “It will also allow Dr. Lucabaugh to pursue other opportunities in the educational arena.

“The school district wants to thank Dr. Lucabaugh for the extraordinary leadership he has provided through very difficult and contentious times,” the statement reads. “He always stayed above the fray and focused upon the educational mission of the school district notwithstanding other distractions that existed. The Central Bucks community has profited from his leadership and the school district hopes his successor will be able to maintain the high standards that he has established.”

Lucabaugh, who has asked to be released from his contract in a resignation letter, is currently under contract with the district through June 30, 2028, under a five-year employment agreement approved by the board in July. That contract gave the superintendent a 40 percent salary increase, which some said was deserved and others said was excessive.

Under the separation agreement, Lucabaugh would receive $32,015.81 for 26.5 unused vacation days and $235,038 for 194 days of unused accumulated sick time after agreeing to forfeit 41 days, or $49,673.

The outgoing superintendent would also receive a $315,000 lump sum payment and continued health benefits through June 30, 2024.

In addition, the district would pay him a $50,000 settlement payment "to resolve all issues or potential issues or claims arising from or connected with his employment with the school district, including allegations made by Dr. Lucabaugh of a pattern of harassment that undermined his ability to carry out the functions of his job and contributed to an environment of incivility and hostility during his tenure."

Tuesday night's meeting will be the last presided over by the outgoing board, which is currently controlled by Republicans. At the Dec. 4 reorganization meeting, Democrats will take majority control of the school board for the first time in district history after winning five open board seats.