Centennial board schedules vote May 27 after heated public backlash over superintendent finalist

CENTENNIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, Pa. — The Centennial School District Board of School Directors announced that a finalist for superintendent will be voted on at the board's regular meeting on May 27, and scheduled two public events to let residents hear from the candidate: a meet-and-greet on May 15 and a town-hall on May 22, the board said at its May 13 meeting.

The announcement came as the meeting devolved into extended public comment dominated by residents and educators opposed to the finalist, Abram (Abe) Lukabaugh, who most speakers tied to his tenure as superintendent of Central Bucks School District. Dozens of people filled the boardroom and overflow rooms, and the board voted to combine agenda and non‑agenda public comment and to allow every community member who signed up to speak, retaining a three‑minute limit per speaker.

Why it matters: Many speakers said they feared that hiring Lukabaugh would bring divisive policy battles and legal costs to Centennial similar to controversies at Central Bucks, and they asked the board to reconsider. Board members defended the search process and said the Bucks County Intermediate Unit coordinated the rounds of interviews.

Board explanation and schedule Board members said the search and scoring process was managed by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU). At the meeting the board president said the panel decided not to move candidates who lacked prior superintendent experience into interviews, and that one candidate "scored well above the others in the scoring system," prompting the board to proceed without a third round. The president also said the solicitor advised that a community meet‑and‑greet could be held as long as no votes or deliberations took place.

The board announced that the candidate will attend a stakeholder meeting on May 15 hosted by the BCIU and a town hall on May 22 at Laude College; the elected school board will consider the candidate at its regular meeting on May 27.

Community concerns raised at the meeting Residents, parents, teachers and alumni voiced detailed objections linked to Lukabaugh's record at Central Bucks. Common themes included allegations that his policies had led to book restrictions, limits on classroom materials, the suspension of a teacher who supported an LGBTQ student, substantial legal spending by the district, and a large severance payment when he left Central Bucks.

- Nancy Pontius, identifying herself as a spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens of Centennial School District, told the board that Lukabaugh "oversaw policies that resulted in millions of dollars of taxpayer funds" and urged the board to "reconsider his nomination." - Several speakers cited lawsuits and federal or nonprofit investigations they say occurred under Lukabaugh's leadership at Central Bucks. One commenter said, "He implemented discriminatory policies so severe that the ACLU sued the district." - Parents and former Central Bucks staff told the board they feared an erosion of intellectual freedom and harm to students from marginalized groups. "Our community deserves a superintendent who will unite our community, support educators, and protect the educational rights of all students," one speaker said.

Supporters of the candidate also spoke. A number of residents who said they had worked with or for the finalist described him as experienced and fiscally responsible, and urged the board to consider his qualifications.

Board process and transparency questions Multiple board members and residents pressed for clarity about the search process. One board member said the board began the search with a public survey and that the Intermediate Unit coordinated interview questions. A member asked, "Did we violate the Sunshine Act?" and the conversation returned to whether information had been appropriately handled; board leaders said no formal votes or deliberations took place outside public meetings and that confidentiality protections had been observed for candidates.

Procedural votes at the meeting Trustees approved procedural motions to combine agenda and non‑agenda public comment and to allow all registered commenters to speak, while maintaining a three‑minute limit per speaker. A roll‑call vote to move public comments to the front and combine sections passed 6–2. A separate vote to allow every community member who signed up to speak while enforcing the three‑minute limit was also approved by the board.

Next steps The board will hold the planned public events on May 15 and May 22. The board reiterated that it will take a formal vote on the superintendent appointment at its regular meeting on May 27.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke at the May 13 Centennial School District board meeting and are identified in the meeting record.