New Centennial Schools Superintendent Hiring Approved

WARMINSTER, PA — In a 5-4 vote, the Centennial School Board made it official: Abram Lucabaugh is the district's new schools superintendent.

Despite a citizens' group arguing against the appointment, the school board at its meeting on Tuesday night approved a contract agreement for Lucabaugh, the former Central Bucks Schools Superintendent.

Lucabaugh will replace Centennial School Superintendent Dana T. Bedden, who is retiring after his five-year contract expires at the end of June.

Lucabaugh answered submitted questions during a community forum on Thursday, touting his attributes and experience to help the Centennial School District progress. He also spoke out recently about what he brings to the table.

Lucabaugh's selection by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit — which conducted the superintendent search — has been blasted by the concerned citizens group, parents, and several school board members, who said the selection process was weak and did not provide community and school board input.

Concerned Citizens of the Centennial School District "strongly oppose" the hiring of Lucabaugh to replace Bedden, who is retiring once his five-year contract expires at the end of June.

The group has cited "his troubling and costly record" of irresponsibility, discrimination, censorship, and litigation during his tenure leading the Central Bucks School District.

The Central Bucks School Board reached a more than $700,000 severance agreement with Lucabaugh that was approved by the outgoing school board in November 2023.

School Director Jane Lynch asked Lucabaugh to withdraw his candidacy before the meeting agenda began. She said Lucabaugh's candidacy has been on national and local news.

"Our community cannot be disruptive," Lynch said. "This is too much. We are a good community. We are a good school district. For the good of Centennial, please withdraw from the superintendent position."

School Board President Mary Alice Brancato followed Lynch with her own statement.

"We are not Central Bucks," she said. "We are Centennial. I'm not judging anyone, but I don't expect to be judged either."

During public comment, more than a dozen residents expressed opposition to the appointment before the board voted.

"Thank school board members who spoke out," Nicole Lynch of Southampton said. "This search was done behind closed doors. Over two hours of comments opposing the appointment. You will say you held a public forum. His answers were vague and bland. It was lip service. He took no time to throw the Central Bucks board under the bus. A Yes vote tells us you chose to ignore our voices and follow your own agenda."

Neal Miller of Warminster said Lucabaugh's contract is boilerplate.

"It guarantees his salary and a raise every three years," Miller said. "It is based on satisfactory performance, but there are no metrics. The board decides whether he's done a good job."

One resident said School Director Charley Martin stated that Bedden wanted to remain as Centennial's superintendent. The Southampton man said that the school board should reopen the search.

"I have a lot of concerns. He hasn't worked since Central Bucks superintendent. He's taking a major pay cut for Centennial," said Pat Boyle of Warminster. "We've seen Dr. Bedden counsel the board several times. Did Lucabaugh ever do that?"

Samantha Gambles of Warminster said the district's children deserve more than Lucabaugh.

"When you have a candidate that is sparking such controversy, you should have been able to ask questions for a position that is so pivotal. You have the ability to right a wrong. It doesn't seem like you're getting the point."

One resident said the price of time to conduct another superintendent search is worth the effort.

"There must be another candidate to take the position without the baggage," Mike Binder of Warminster said.

One resident said it would be "malpractice" if the school board approved Lucabaugh's contract.

One resident said if school directors approve Lucabaugh, then those running for re-election would be voted out in November by residents angry about the appointment.

Some residents called last week's community forum "a sham" for not allowing the community to participate.

"We can't see what value this brings to us," Tom Quinn of Warminster said.

After public comment, Brancato said "this is hard work and this isn't easy for any of us."

Brancato said the school board sets the policy, but Lynch questioned that, saying the superintendent can give "great impact" into policy.

The two squared off again before the vote as Lynch stated that two of the three top candidates were unemployed, including Lucabaugh.

"Please know I hear you loud and clear," School Director Patti Crossan said.

This was how Centennial School Board members voted:

• Mary Alice Brancato — Yes
• Jane Lynch — No
• Flemming Godiksen — Yes
• Kathleen Maguire — Yes
• Michael Hartline — Yes
• Mark Gindhart — Yes
• Tony Sadowski — No
• Charles Martin — No
• Patti Crossan — No

"Shame on you," residents screamed after the vote.

The meeting was moved to the Log College Middle School to accommodate the large crowd.

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