New Centennial Schools Superintendent Starts Tenure

WARMINSTER, PA — Abram Lucabaugh has taken over as the new superintendent of the Centennial School District.

The former Central Bucks Schools Superintendent began his tenure on Tuesday, replacing Dana Bedden, whose five-year contract ended on Monday.

"I have not had a conversation with him," longtime School Director Jane Lynch told Patch on Tuesday. "I don't know him."

Lucabaugh takes over a school district that serves Warminster and Upper Southampton townships.

His hiring happened in a 5-4 vote and was surrounded by controversy among Centennial School Board members and the community.

Lucabaugh's selection by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit — which conducted the superintendent search — was 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 over $700,000 severance agreement with Lucabaugh that was approved by the outgoing school board in November 2023.

Lucabaugh has promised to be a presence in school classrooms and has come up with plans to bolster the school district.

"I hope he does everything he told us he would do," Lynch said. "He said he has a 30-day plan and a 60-day plan. We will see what develops."

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