Board bids farewell to retiring superintendent
Thursday night marked one final public farewell for North Penn’s outgoing leader.
The district’s school board sent off retiring Superintendent Curt Dietrich with a parting gift, as the administrator reflected on his decade and a half in North Penn.
“It was a pleasure working with you, and we’re going to miss you,” said school board President Tina Stoll.
In February Dietrich announced his plans to retire at the end of his current contract, ending a 41-year career in education and a tenure in North Penn that started in 2006 as an assistant superintendent, and a 12-year tenure as superintendent that began in February 2010. The board has subsequently hired a search firm to find his successor, announcing earlier this month that current assistant superintendent Todd Bauer will take over at the end of June, while Dietrich was sent off in late May during a farewell tour of each district school, and spoke at his final high school graduation ceremony on June 9.
Stoll started off Thursday night’s school board meeting with her own comments about Dietrich, saying she was glad the board was able to attend a celebration held by staff the night before.
“It was so nice to see all the people there, to celebrate your legacy. The former administrators put on a hilarious skit — I hope we have that video for everyone to see,” she said.
“It was also nice to see the car tour from two weeks ago, and you got to go to every building in the district, and all the students and staff were outside cheering. It just went to show how loved and respected you are in our district, and how much you’ll be missed,” Stoll said.
Dietrich then reflected on his own career, which started as an elected school board member while in his teens, then included stints as a chemistry, biology and general science teacher, assis
tant high school principal, and high school principal for the Saucon Valley School District in the Lehigh Valley before arriving in North Penn.
“Since I announced my retirement, I’ve just been overwhelmed with the number of people from our community who have reached out to say ‘Thank you,’ and express their appreciation and their gratitude,” he said.
“It’s been a great run. I’ve enjoyed… virtually every minute of it. There were some moments here and there that were a bit challenging, but we found a way to work through all of those,” Dietrich said.
In addition to the typical snow days and late openings, Dietrich also led the district through three straight schoolyears impacted by COVID-19. To show the board’s appreciation, Stoll handed him a sculpture expressing their thanks, to a standing ovation and a round of handshakes from the rest of the board.
“It’s been a great run. I appreciate all the support I’ve enjoyed over the years, and I say thank you to everyone. Best wishes to all,” he said.
North Penn’s school board next meets at 7 p.m. on July 12 at the district Educational Services Center, 401 E. Hancock St.; for more information visit www.NPenn.org.