Bedden hired by Bucks County school district
BOYERTOWN » As the Boyertown Area School District prepares to reopen under the newly-approved hybrid plan, it will do so without Superintendent Dana Bedden at the helm.
Tuesday evening, the same night the board was debating and approving the reopening plan Bedden championed, he was being hired as the new superintendent of the Centennial School District in Bucks County.
According to an article in The Bucks County Courier-Times, the Centennial School board approved a five-year contract for Bedden at an annual salary of $204,278.
The school board president there, Andrew Dixon, estimated Bedden will start his new job around Oct. 15.
The appointment makes Bedden Bucks County’s first-ever African American superintendent.
A news release posted on Centennial’s website includes a statement from Bedden.
“It is an honor to be extended an opportunity to work collaboratively with the Centennial School District School Board in establishing a clear education vision that is student and safety centered,” Bedden said.
“I believe my over 27 years of education experience, serving in a variety of positions could help me to work with the school board in providing the staff and students with a focused and aligned teaching and learning program where students can find success through academics, athletics, and the arts while serving the CSD community,” Bedden’s statement read.
“It is also truly encouraging to have read the resolution released by CSD which publicly acknowledges a responsibility to speak against injustice, racial inequity, and to foster an equitable and inclusive environment for every student, staff member, parent, and community member.”
The release “invites all community members to meet Dr. Bedden on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, at a virtual forum.”
Bedden was hired by Boyertown only two years ago after a year-long search.
He has promised to stay onboard “through the beginning of the school year,” according to a press release posted on Boyertown’s website.