Residents Outraged Over Centennial Superintendent Hiring

WARMINSTER, PA — "Shame on You!"

Those were some of the first words the Centennial School Board heard Tuesday night when it voted 5-4 to approve former Central Bucks Schools Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh as its next superintendent.

Over a dozen residents of Warminster and Upper Southampton townships protested the hiring during public comments before the board took its vote to hire Lucabaugh to replace the retiring Centennial Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden.

Among the Yes votes were School Board President Mary Alice Brancato, Vice President Flemming Godiksen, and School Directors Kathleen Maguire, Michael Hartline, and Mark Gindhart.

The No votes came from School Directors Jane Lynch, Tony Sadowski, Charles Martin, and Patti Crossan.

And the Boos came from residents who packed the auditorium of the Log College Middle School following the announcement that the measure had passed, despite opposition from residents and a citizens group who protested the hiring.

"This search happened behind closed doors," Nicole Lynch of Southampton said. "The board began drafting a contract before the public was informed — and without presenting any other finalists. There was no chance for parent or teacher groups to have input, which has historically happened for other searches. Why? Two weeks ago, you heard over two hours of comments opposing Dr. Lucabaugh’s appointment and criticizing this lack of transparency, and what did you do? Two days later you held another closed door meeting with only three parents, hand-selected by the board president. This is not a representative sample of stakeholders. Despite being asked, the board has not shared what happened at that meeting or how participants were selected. Some of your own fellow board members have said they were not involved in this process. Why are you hiding behind closed doors?"

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 a more than $700,000 severance agreement with Lucabaugh that was approved by the outgoing school board in November 2023.

The Concerned Citizens of Centennial School District issued a statement following the vote:

“By approving Dr. Lucabaugh’s appointment, the board has ignored the serious, documented harm that occurred under his leadership in Central Bucks,” said Nancy Pontius, a Warminster resident, parent, educator, and spokeswoman for the group. “Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our students, holding leadership accountable, and ensuring that our district’s values of inclusion, equity, and educational excellence are upheld.”

The Concerned Citizens of Centennial School District have pledged to hold Lucabaugh and the School Board accountable for every policy and decision that impacts students, educators, and taxpayers. The group will continue to advocate vigorously to ensure that no child is marginalized, no educator silenced, and no taxpayer dollar wasted under this administration.

“Our students deserve leadership that uplifts, not undermines, their dignity and opportunity,” said Pontius. “We sincerely hope Dr. Lucabaugh chooses a new path — one that aligns with the inclusive and diverse values of the Centennial community. But make no mistake: we are prepared to challenge any action that threatens the rights, well-being, or educational future of our children.”

Nicole Lynch said that the school board's decision would decide whether Centennial is "poised to do great things."

"You say you are listening to the community," Lynch said. "If you truly are, you will know you cannot move forward with this appointment. A yes vote tonight will tell us all that you have chosen to ignore our voices to further your own agenda. Our students deserve better."

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