Outgoing GOP board gives Central Bucks superintendent $700k severance as public cries foul

In what was one of the final actions before a new school board takes, Central Bucks officials voted 6-3 along party lines in favor of a severance package of more than $700,000 for its outgoing superintendent.

Following the vote, Board President Dana Hunter abruptly adjourned the meeting after audience members broke into shouts of "I oppose!"

As part of its vote, the board also approved a deal paying Abram Lucabaugh at least $10,000 for consulting services through the end of this month. They also named Assistant Superintendent Charles Malone interim superintendent. Lucabaugh's exit is effective immediately.

Hunter, who lost her re-election bid Nov. 7 and will be off the board on Dec. 4, said she fully supported the severance, saying it would have cost the district more if the Democrats carried out what she claimed was a plan they shared with union representatives during the election endorsement process.

That plan was to flip the board, immediately fire Lucabaugh and install a new hand-picked superintendent, a move that would have cost taxpayers more, Hunter said.

She added she "deeply respects" the job Lucabaugh did under difficult circumstances.

Before the vote Tuesday, the minority Democrat board members criticized the district for its last-minute severance package noting that the district's COO did not see it until 6:45 p.m. Monday and solicitor Jeffrey Garton — who announced his own resignation effective as of the end Tuesday's meeting — didn't see it until Tuesday morning.

"This is a very insulting contract to the taxpayers," said Tabitha DellAngelo, an outgoing Democrat board member who voted no. "I don't think this contract or this agreement is standard protocol."

Board member Karen Smith, who also voted no, said Doylestown law firm Curtin and Heefner sent a letter to the board claiming several illegalities in the severance agreement, and urged the board not to approve it.

According to a copy of the letter, the agreement is "immediately void and unenforceable in its entirety" because case law has repeatedly found in Pennsylvania that it "improperly" binds the successor board. The new Central Bucks School District board reorganizes Dec. 4.

"It's a complete violation of our fiduciary responsiblity," said Mariam Mahmud, who cast the third no on the package. "This has never been about education. This has never been about the kids. It's unfair to all the taxpayers. It's completely wrong."

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Vice President Leigh Vlasblom, an outgoing member of the current GOP majority, pointed out that Lucabaugh is an employee of the board with a contract, no matter how the public feels about it.

"Whether you like him or dislike him or you like me or dislike me, I am in the position to do a job," she said before voting yes.

Multiple times through the nearly three-hour meeting Hunter scolded the audience for heckling board members, and interrupting speakers, including those demanding to know what law firm drew up the severance agreement.

"I think we need to remove people from the room," Hunter said. "What is wrong with you? I've never been in a room with such rude people in my life. Do we need to clear the room?"

The public has its say on CB superintendent deal

At least 300 people, some bearing signs, attended Tuesday's meeting, which was moved to the Central Bucks West High School auditorium due to the crowd that only learned 24 hours before of Lucabaugh's intentions to leave and his eligibility for the severance deal.

Lucabaugh did not attend the meeting.

Attorney Antonetta Stancu urged the board not to approve the severance agreement for Lucabaugh alleging it contained "troubling provisions."

Stancu represents Kevin Marton, the principal of Tohickon Middle School who is currently on administrative leave following his arrest earlier this year for alleged harassment of his estranged wife, who also works for the district.

Residents who spoke out against the severance agreement received loud applause, with some calling it "an embarrassment," "a shady deal," and "fraud," saying the superintendent can choose to resign but should not be paid for leaving.

Others who spoke praised Lucabaugh, calling him a "champion," "a man of character" and a compassionate educator, who despite threats and harassments, fought for the district's students and protected them.

"He is a top educator in Pennsylvania, he deserves every penny he got," said Ed Mackhouse, a vocal supporter of the GOP-majority board and its policies.

Former school board member Beth Darcy said she regretted supporting Lucabaugh in 2018 when he was elevated to central administration and that she was "aware" of some accusations but she wanted to give him a second chance. She did not detail what she described as "questionable actions."

"I wish he were here tonight in person so I could look him in the eye and tell him this," Darcy said. "My vote and my support for him was a mistake."

She added district taxpayers should not have to pave Lucabaugh's departure with money that should be going to students. She suggested his sudden resignation is "clearly designed" to avoid accountability "at the higher standard he demanded for everyone else in this district."

"We should not have to pay someone to be a person of integrity, but instead pay him only for his education and ability to run a school district," Darcy added.

Former school board member Tracy Suits noted that most in the audience were there to hold the board accountable for its "revenge agenda."

"You have padded his severance on your way out, and you will be held accountable," Suits said.

Residents also spoke in support of the GOP-majority board and Lucabaugh, and how much they have "endured," saying they received threats and repeated harrassment.

"You know who you are, the ones who were helpful," said Vonna DeArmond, a vocal supporter of the GOP-majority board. "You don't deserve to go. You certainly all deserve a medal for a race well run."

Audience members interrupted and heckled DeArmond when she shared information about how parents can learn more about homeschooling.

"You are the problem in this community," she said. "You are exposing yourselves as the hateful bullies."

How Lucabaugh got a new CB contract, severance package

Lucabaugh, who was given a salary bump in July to $315,000 per year, is at least the fifth superintendent Central Bucks has had since 2007, when he became principal of Central Bucks High School East. The recent salary increase enhanced the benefits in the severance deal such as unused vacation and sick time.

The severance package, including $39,000 in taxes the district must cover, exceeds $712,000, CEO Tara Houser told the board.

Lucabaugh was officially hired to replace former head administrator John Kopicki in August 2021 at $225,000 with a performance-based raise of at least 2% for the first two years of that five-year contract.

With the district again apparently facing a superintendent search, here’s a few things you should know about the process:

How long could it take to hire someone?

Given past superintendent searches in and around Central Bucks, it looks like the search for Lucabaugh’s replacement could take a few months at least.

Kopicki’s resignation came unexpectedly in March 2021, leading to Lucbaugh, then the assistant superintendent for secondary education, taking the reins as the acting superintendent.

It only took about five months for the school board to ultimately make Lucabaugh’s temporary title official.

In Pennridge, Superintendent David Bolton announced in June his plan to retire effective Oct. 31.

The Pennridge school board on Aug. 28 unanimously approved a three-year contract with Abington Senior High School Principal Angelo Berrios.

Quakertown Community School District also took about three months to find a replacement for former Superintendent Bill Harner, who announced his retirement early last December.

Quakertown officials entered into a four-year contract with Matthew Friedman in March.

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How will Central Bucks find a replacement?

The district will most likely turn to the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to help facilitate a national search for the next top administrator in one of the state’s largest school districts.

Central Bucks used the intermediate unit, a regional educational service support agency, to conduct its search after Kopicki resigned.

The IU was also called upon to find Bolton’s replacement in Pennridge, aid Council Rock’s search for a new superintendent in 2022 and when Pennsbury was looking for a new leader for the 2021-2022 school year.

More information about the intermediate unit’s process in Pennsbury can be found at this link.

Ultimately, it will be the incoming school board, which takes office on Dec. 4, who will have to hold a public vote to hire Lucabuagh’s full-time replacement.

Who runs the day-to-day business in Central Bucks?

Similar to when Lucabaugh first replaced Kopicki, the assistant superintendent of secondary education, Charles Malone, is now acting superintendent. He attended his first board meeting in that new role on Tuesday night..

Malone was hired by the district in October 2021.

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks approves Superintendent Lucabaugh severance