Centennial Schools Name Next Superintendent

WARMINSTER, PA — Centennial School District board members are expected to name the current superintendent in the Boyertown school district as the next leader of the district.

Centennial's school board will meet on Tuesday to vote on the appointment of Dana Bedden. Late Monday, the board issued a press release saying it plans to vote to approve him. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the meeting will be held virtually.

"It is an honor to be extended an opportunity to work collaboratively with the Centennial School District school board in establishing a clear education vision that is student and safety centered," Bedden said in the news release. "I believe my over 27 years of education experience, serving in a variety of positions could help me to work with the school board in providing the staff and students with a focused and aligned teaching and learning program where students can find success through academics, athletics, and the arts while serving the CSD community."

Bedden holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech, a master's degree in educational administration from Penn State and a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida.

He also completed Harvard University's Graduate School of Education Leadership Institute for Superintendents and post-doctoral courses in School Business Leadership at Wilkes University.

In 2018, he began his tenure as the superintendent of Boyertown Area School District. Since then, he has negotiated a new contract with the district's teachers union and its bus service provider, settled previously unresolved stadium renovations, lead the district through rezoning and more.

For 17 years of his career, Bedden served as a regional superintendent or district superintendent of schools in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas and Virginia. He also has served as high school principal, sub-school principal, director of athletics and middle school teacher.

Bedden also has served on local, state and national committees and boards and has been a keynote presenter, panelist, panel host, guest columnist, radio show participant, educational consultant, and adviser for several organizations across the nation on a variety of educational and leadership topics.

"I am extremely excited to be able to bring in a superintendent of Dr. Bedden's caliber and track record," said school board President Andrew Dixon. "Everywhere he has been, he has helped districts to align instruction for improved educational focus and results. More, he has done so while being a champion of striving for equity in educational outcomes, which is both an area of strength for our district and a key continued goal in Centennial, given the economic and social diversity of our communities and our students."

Dixon said Bedden also has a strong record of being a responsible manager of taxpayer dollars, something the board takes seriously.

"Finally, in this time of extreme crisis, I felt it important to bring in someone with executive experience in challenging circumstances, which is a key feature of Dr. Bedden's resume'," he said.

The Centennial school board is inviting the community to meet Bedden from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, at a virtual forum. The "meet and greet" will be moderated by Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit.

Community members are invited to visit this web page to submit up to two questions for Bedden.

Details will be posted on the Centennial School District with a link to where the online forum will be held by Friday, July 31.