New School Principal Appointed In Bristol Township

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA —The Bristol Township School Board of Directors has hired John Austerberry as the new principal of Brookwood Elementary School.

Austerberry’s selection at the school board's meeting on Monday night marks the conclusion of a process that began earlier in the fall.

The Brookwood principal position opening was advertised widely and over 30 application packets were received.

A principal search committee consisting of community stakeholders with expertise and relevance interviewed the top seven candidates, with three finalists being recommended for final interviews with the superintendent’s district cabinet.

An educator for over two decades, Austerberry brings extensive experience and a strong background in school leadership to the Bristol Township School District and Brookwood Elementary School.

He has been the principal of Darby Township School in the Southeast Delco School District since 2022.

Before that, Austerberry was an administrator in the Philadelphia School District for nine years, serving in a variety of leadership and managerial positions.

He began his career as a third-grade teacher in Maryland in 2001 and moved to Philadelphia in 2003, where he served as a middle school math teacher.

Austerberry earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Shippensburg University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Holy Family University.

Austerberry brings a strong background in instructional leadership, professional development, and curriculum development and design to the Bristol Township School District, school officials said.

As a veteran principal, he has familiarity with many district initiatives currently in place, such as the SWPBIS program, a multi-tiered approach to interventions and recently implemented elementary curriculum revisions.

“The search committee was very impressed with Mr. Austerberry’s candidacy,” BTSD Chief Academic Officer Amy Coleman, who chaired the search committee, shared. “He is an experienced and accomplished administrator with an established background in promoting student achievement. We believe he will be great for the students of Brookwood and an outstanding addition to our school community.”

“We are very happy to welcome Mr. Austerberry to Bristol Township and Brookwood Elementary School,” Schools Superintendent Michael Nitti said. “He brings demonstrated effective leadership to Bristol Township, and we are excited to see his work with our students.”

“I am honored to have been selected as the new principal of Brookwood Elementary School. I am excited to bring my administrative experience, teaching experience, desire to be an effective leader, and determination to succeed to a wonderful school district such as Bristol Township,” Austerberry said. “I look forward to working with the entire Brookwood community in supporting our students to grow and be successful in their future.”

Austerberry will begin his tenure on Jan. 20.

School officials said a transition plan will be implemented with him and current Brookwood interim principal Christina Lang.

The Brookwood school community will have the opportunity to meet Austerberry at a “Meet the Principal” event at Brookwood in early January.