Central Bucks to hire new interim leader as it searches for Lucabaugh's replacement

Editor's note: this story has been updated to correct a previous version indicating the Bucks County Intermediate Unit would assist in the search for a permanent superintendent. The Bucks IU has only provided a list of interim superintendent candidates and the district has not decided on an exact approach to replace Lucabaugh.

The Central Bucks School District is looking to hire a new interim Superintendent as the district continues its search to replace its former head administrator who abruptly resigned in November.

A district news release says the school board is expected to vote on hiring Jim Scanlon, a retired school adminstrator with 22 years experience, at the Jan. 9 board meeting.

Scanlon, who is also a Central Bucks High School East graduate, would be appointed to a six-month term for $135,000 without any pension contributions or medical benefits. The release says the district will "provide some mileage reimbursement."

“It is imperative that the District has the support and leadership of a very experienced and accomplished superintendent who can provide stability,” board President Karen Smith said in the release.

Smith also thanked current Interim Superintendent Charles Malone for leading the district immedaitely after former Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh left the district, a sudden departure described as a "mutual severance" by the former Republican-led board that also approved a $700,000 severance package for Lucabaugh.

Several people raised questions as to whether the amount paid on Lucabaugh's exit violated a 2012 state law limiting severance packages for outgoing superintendents. The current board is reviewing possible legal action.

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Lucabaugh filled in as the lead administrator in Central Bucks after the unexpected resignation of former Superintendent John Kopicki in March 2021. Lucabaugh was officially hired as superintendent that August and oversaw day-to-day operations amid a global pandemic and a growing rift in the community.

Central Bucks has been a divided district due in large part to several constroversial now-suspended policies passed by the previous board that often focused on LGBTQ issues, including a library policy expanding book challenges and a sports policy restricting the teams transgender athletes can play on.

Lucabaugh became the focus of several controversies over the past two years, including a "political symbol" ban that included targetting Pride flags and a $90,000 raise that the previous board approved just four months before he left the district.

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Scanlon was West Chester Area School District superintendent for 12 years before retiring in 2021. Over his career, Scanlon was also the Quakertown Community School District superintendent for seven years and worked as a teacher in the New Hope-Solebury School District.

“Central Bucks is an outstanding school system with extremely talented educators and students,” said Scanlon. “It would be an honor to return to my alma mater to support the district through a transitional time. I look forward to getting to know the staff, students, and parents.”

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While district officials have not decided on specifically how it will continue searching for a permanent replacement for Lucabaugh, it may include the help of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit — a regional resource center that aids public school districts and provided the district with a list of candidates for the interim role, according to the news release.

“It is common for school districts to appoint veteran, retired superintendents during times of transition,” said the unit's Executive Director, Mark Hoffman. “This gives the Board the peace of mind that the District will be well managed by an experienced leader who can focus on the educational system without any aspirations of applying for the position."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks hires retired school leader as interim superintendent