Council Rock: Appointment Of Dr. Sanko 'A Great Step Forward'

NEWTOWN BOROUGH — The Council Rock School District officially has a new superintendent of schools.

A week after introducing Dr. Andrew Sanko to the community as its finalist to lead the school district, the school board voted unanimously to approve a five year contract with the longtime district employee.

Under the agreement, Sanko will be paid $220,000 a year to administer the 10,500-student school district. The board approved the appointment during a special meeting on June 2.

Following its vote, Sanko was sworn into office by District Judge Mick Petrucci as his family looked on.

“We did a long search. We had a lot of qualified candidates. And Dr. Sanko rose above the rest,” said the board’s Vice President Michael Thorwart who made the motion. “It is truly an honor to be able to vote for you to take over the reins of Council Rock,” he told Sanko.

“The relationships you have with every single person you touch every day is why you are the perfect pick at the perfect time for this district,” added board member Joe Hidalgo. “You’re a very special person and I’m looking forward to what you will bring to this community.”

“I wholeheartedly endorse Dr. Sanko for this position,” added board member Mariann McKee. “I’m wishing him great success and all the best. And of course thanking him for all of his service.”

Board member Yota Palli added, “I was the one on the board that knew Dr. Sanko the least, but I must say at this point I really believe that he has the ability to unify us. I trust that Dr. Sanko will be able to bring us together and move us forward.”

Board member Bob Hickey thanked everyone who was involved in the search process, from the residents who filled out the surveys to the parents, teachers and other administrators who participated in any way in the process and the Bucks County Intermediate Unit for helping, particularly Dr. Hoffman.

“I’m proud to be a part of the community with this selection. I can’t wait to vote yea,” he said

“This is a wonderful time for our community,” added board member Mike Roosevelt. “It was amazing to be a new board member and to have this opportunity. But most importantly, seeing how many people from the community rallied around this selection. This presents a wonderful
opportunity for the Council Rock School District to have a new beginning.”

Board member Kristin Marcell called Sanko’s appointment “a great step forward for our community. I’ve had a lot of feedback from parents, former teachers, from a lot of people in the community who are happy with Dr. Sanko’s appointment. It really is a celebration of our community and our ability to move forward after a couple of tough years with COVID. I
look forward to working with Dr. Sanko and his team in putting Students First Always.”

Board President Ed Salamon thanked Dr. Susan Elliott for “bridging the gap” during the administrative transition and wished her well as the newly-named superintendent of the Upper Moreland School District. “You deserved the shot. I’m glad you got it.”

Salamon then commended the board for appointing Sanko, who ascends to the top administrative post after serving as director of K-12 education and before that as building principal and as a teacher.

“This community has been torn apart the last couple of years and we need a reset. But you can’t do a reset without the right person. I truly believe that you’re the guy to do that,” he told Sanko. “You know everybody. And the people who don’t know you are going to get to know you. It means a lot to me to be able to support you. You’ve been a mentor to me.”

Following the board vote, the room gave Sanko a standing ovation.

“Thanks for having the confidence in me to lead Council Rock,” said Sanko. “My thanks extends to many people. My family for their support. My close friends for their unwavering support. The Council Rock School Board with whom I share a deep commitment to the success of this district. The administrators, principals, teachers and staff with whom I work and have worked and whom I know are the absolute best at what they do.

“I want to thank the Council Rock community, first responders, organizations, business partners that help support our efforts here in the district to take care of kids. I’d like to thank Dr. Elliott and wish her the very best in her new role,” he said.

“And most of all I’d like to thank the children - the decades of children I’ve had the honor of learning from, students who have taught me far more than I could ever teach them. Students of all ages and abilities who have taught me optimism, curiosity and joy. Students, who in their
difficult times, demonstrated grace, forgiveness and taught me patience. Students, who in simply being part of Council Rock, taught me to be persistent and passionate.

“Students who embody why we are here - to provide a superior and thorough educational experience for every student, every day,” he continued. “It is those students I offer my most profound thanks and my most sincere promise to keep them a priority. My duty to every student is to keep Students First Always.”