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Candidate withdraws from Spring-Ford superintendent appointment; board to continue interim and permanent searches
Summary
The Spring-Ford Area School District Board of School Directors announced on June 23 that a candidate who had been scheduled for appointment as superintendent declined the position and will not join the district.
The Spring-Ford Area School District Board of School Directors announced at its June 23 meeting that a candidate who had been scheduled for appointment told the district he would pursue another opportunity and will not be joining the district.
“The candidate who is scheduled to be appointed this evening let us know that he's chosen to pursue another opportunity and will not be joining Spring Ford,” said the Board President. “While this was an unexpected change, we respect his decision and wish him the very best.” The board said it will identify a qualified interim superintendent and begin a “thorough and thoughtful search” for a permanent replacement, with opportunities for community input in the new school year.
Members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period to press the board for transparency and to question the vetting process. “The fact that this board considered moving forward with a candidate carrying that level of legal and ethical baggage is deeply alarming,” said Kathy Morris of Royersburg, referring to her concerns about the candidate and alleging he had resigned from a previous position and was named in a federal civil-rights lawsuit. Those allegations were presented by Morris as her view during public comment and were not resolved at the meeting.
Another community member, Anthony Frigo, used his comment time to offer his services and questioned the district’s budget increase. “I believe that that qualifies me to run this school district,” Frigo said, describing his credentials and noting his belief that a 5.1% budget increase appears high. A third commenter, Ryan Ice, described moving his children out of the district and urged compassion for families affected by school climate concerns.
The board did not take formal action related to a superintendent appointment at the June 23 meeting. Board leadership emphasized the district’s intention to continue both an interim appointment process and a broader permanent search with community engagement opportunities once the new school year begins.
The board’s public materials and future meeting agendas will provide updates as the district proceeds with interim staffing and the permanent search.
