Residents press Spring Grove Area SD board for transparency over superintendent exit

James Sterner, a Spring Grove resident, told the board the superintendent post "is a vital" role "whose first concern should be the students and staff," and urged that any new hiring be conducted with "honesty" and the "best intentions." Sterner said public trust has eroded and asked the board to increase transparency in the hiring process.

Brandon Hufnagle of Jackson Township gave a detailed timeline of events surrounding Dr. Bradley's absence and departure and raised legal and procedural questions about a later separation agreement. Hufnagle said staff received an email on Aug. 15 saying Dr. Bradley was on sick leave, the board accepted a resignation at an Aug. 25 meeting, and a separation-and-release agreement dated Sept. 5 retroactively gave paid administrative leave from Aug. 11 through Sept. 8 and included pay for unused leave, two months' severance and continued health benefits. "My tallies have that close, if not over, to a $100,000," he said, and asked "Why was a separation agreement created for someone who voluntarily resigned?" He also asked whether the full board ever saw or voted on that agreement and invoked the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, arguing that contracts paid with taxpayers' funds should be approved in public.

Board members did not take action during public comment. The chair reminded speakers the period was for comment only, not a question-and-answer session. At the same meeting, pastor Sean Birkby praised the district's staff and community response following recent events and thanked district leaders and first responders for their work.

The public comments set the tone for the personnel agenda that followed: several board members later said they wanted more time to review consultant contracts and any nondisclosure provisions before moving forward with a hiring firm selection.