Search begins for new school chief

AMITY » The search for the next top administrator for the Daniel Boone Area School District has begun in earnest.

The Daniel Boone School Board unanimously approved on Aug. 27 an engagement letter with the Berks County Intermediate Unit for its superintendent search services.

Former Superintendent James P. Harris announced his resignation two weeks ago, just prior to the board’s Aug. 13 meeting.

Board members unanimously agreed to change his resignation date from Aug. 17 to Aug. 15.

Solicitor Brian Subers said the date change allows Harris to be consistent with his new appointment as superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District in Allegheny County.

According to the BCIU, it implements a “5 Phase” superintendent search process that is

customized to each client/ school district.

The BCIU also pays advertising search costs.

Board President David Rathgeb said the board will accept applications from anyone interested in the position.

Perry Templin, a resident of Union Township, proposed a superintendent starting salary of $90,000, versus Harris’s starting salary of $140,000.

“He was due to be making $150,000,” said Templin.

Harris was hired in October 2015.

His three-year contract would have expired Oct. 31, 2018.

In other business at the meeting, Acting Superintendent Robert Hurley will work with senior transportation officials to take an online course about the spotted lanternfly.

The major issue is training bus drivers on the measures necessary to prevent the invasive pest from “hitch-hiking” on school buses that travel outside of the quarantine area.

The free course is offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.