Upper Moreland's Interim School District Superintendent Is A Two-Star Retired Army General

UPPER MORELAND, PA — The individual who is currently at the helm of the Upper Moreland School District is a retired two-star U.S. Army general who was a recipient of the Bronze Star.

Dr. William Kiefer was recently chosen as the interim superintendent of schools in the Upper Moreland School District, a move that came after district officials announced that former Superintendent Michael Roth was out of his position effective December 2021.

An official reason for Roth's departure was never offered.

Kiefer was subsequently chosen as interim superintendent, and school officials are praising the move.

"A lot of positive changes are already in motion," Upper Moreland School Board Member Tom Hasani told Patch in an interview. "He's had open doors with the people in the school district ... and he's reported at school board meetings that things have been progressing."

Hasani said Kiefer's job will be to bring the school district "back to a place where the next superintendent will actually be able to not inherit a mess."

Hasani said the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit is currently helping the school district with the selection process to find a new superintendent. The process is now in its early stages.

According to a statement from the Upper Moreland School District, Kiefer served as the interim high school principal from January to June 2021, and he is "excited to continue his work in this great community and is looking forward to helping Upper Moreland School District continue to grow and deepen our commitment to our students."

Kiefer — who has bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology from Millersville University and a Doctor of Education from Walden University — has been a teacher, school psychologist, curriculum coordinator, elementary school principal, high school principal and central office administrator.

He also previously served as superintendent in Cheltenham Township and at the Hamburg Area School District in Berks County.

Kiefer's bio from Upper Moreland says that his career with the U.S. Army included three years of active duty, three operational deployments, and 33 years in the Army Reserve.

He received the Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal, according to the school district.