Centennial Schools Superintendent Won't Be Retiring

Editor's Note — This is the first of several stories on the departure of Centennial Schools Superintendent Dana Bedden.

WARMINSTER, PA — It comes from the horse's mouth.

Centennial Schools Superintendent Dana Bedden won't be retiring once his five-year contract expires at the end of the month.

In an exclusive interview with Patch, the 58-year-old Bedden states that, contrary to reports, retirement is not in his future — at least not at the moment.

"I will be doing something else in education," Bedden told Patch. "There are always different ways to continue to serve in education. I will continue to be involved and engaged."

Bedden won't let the cat out of the bag just yet about where he's going, but he does have another job lined up.

He will say this. The next position won't be the same as the one at Centennial.

"I am retiring as a superintendent," he said, adding that he sees himself retiring from his long education career maybe between the ages of 65 and 67.

Bedden has several education irons in the fire: He has reactivated his consulting firm and will also continue serving as an adjunct professor at several institutions across the nation.

Bedden saw the writing on the wall after presenting the school district's improvements and achievements over the years, including pushing through the COVID pandemic. He was criticized at school board meetings by some parents and school board members, including School Board President Mary Alice Brancato.

While some board members hoped that a new contract could be given to Bedden once his five-year contract expired, other school board members decided to find a new leader for the district, which covers Warminster and Upper Southampton townships.

Late last year, Bedden informed the school community that he wouldn't seek renewal of his five-year contract when it expired.

In late May, the district hired Abram Lucabaugh, the former Central Bucks Schools superintendent to replace Bedden.

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