Board OKs new high school principal
Nicholson appointed to lead high school, other personnel changes approved, including Lucas to special education post
North Penn High School and several district elementary schools will have new leadership when the upcoming school year starts.
The district’s school board voted unanimously Thursday to approve a sweeping set of personnel changes, including a promotion for high school assistant principal Pete Nicholson to act as high school principal.
“He’s got a big job ahead of him, but he’ll do great,” said school board President Tina Stoll.
Last month the board approved promotions of prior high school principal Todd Bauer and prior director of Special Education and Student Services Jenna Rufo to assistant superintendent posts, and both vacancies were filled Thursday night. Nicholson has been an assistant principal in the high school since 2013, and said he plans to lean heavily on Bauer as the two share an office during the transition.
“We talk quite a bit, and we’ve worked together for the last three years. I’m happy to have him as a sounding board, and somebody I can use as a resource,” said Nicholson.
“I’m truly excited. We’re still transitioning, getting settled, getting our administrative team together, and making sure that we’re all set and ready for students in August,” he said.
According to information provided by the district, Nicholson served as liaison to the health and physical education, music, art, and technology education departments while assistant principal, in addition to acting as advanced placement coordinator, SAT and PSAT program supervisor, cochair of the school’s safe and drug free schools committee, and coordinator of College Board services for students with disabilities. Prior to arriving at North Penn, Nicholson worked for the Allentown School District from 2001 to 2013, first as a health and physical education instructor, then as a middle school assistant principal.
What message does he have for incoming high school students?
“It’s going to be a great year. I’m just, very much, looking forward to seeing them. It’s not the same in the summer, without the energy of the students. I can’t wait to see everybody come back,” Nicholson said.
Bauer said he has come to know Nicholson as “a consummate professional, a true family man, somebody that just keeps students first.”
“I couldn’t be more happy for him, he’s a very deserving candidate — as was Ann Marie. They’re both really qualified people, that make us better, and I’m really excited,”
Bauer said.
Ann Marie Lucas was appointed Wednesday night to fill the Director of Special Education post, after six years working as a special education teacher and IEP facilitator in the Owen J. Roberts School District, followed by six years as elementary supervisor for special education for the Perkiomen Valley School District.
There, Lucas created programs involving intensive emotional support, intensive autistic support and life skills for students, while also implementing a framework
for positive behavior intervention supports across the district.
“I am honored to accept the opportunity to lead educators in North Penn’s continued commitment to its students with the support of the North Penn community and the district’s dedicated leadership team,” Lucas said.
“Together, we will continue to support the department’s mission of ‘developing students that are confident, independent selfadvocates who contribute to society in purposeful
ways.’ I look forward to developing relationships with the different teams across the district, while supporting and serving the district to the best of my ability in my new role,” she said.
According to the personnel package approved by the board, both fall within the district’s Act 93 administrator group, and Nicholson will receive a salary of $151,722 per year and $139,700 per year for Lucas.
Other position changes approved Thursday night include:
• Stefan Muller, from assistant
high school principal to principal of Knapp Elementary, at a salary of $127,748.
• Deborah McKay, from director of secondary education to principal of GwynNor Elementary, at a salary of $138,857.
• Marc Gosselin, from principal of Walton Farm Elementary to curriculum supervisor, at a salary of $128,270.
• Kyle Hassler, from principal of Northbridge School to associate principal at North Penn High School, at a salary of $138,857.
Administrative changes made by district administrators and not requiring board approval include:
• Sylvannya WaltersDantzler, from principal of Gwyn-Nor Elementary School, to principal of Northbridge School.
• Jeff Macosko, from principal of Bridle Path Elementary School, to principal of Walton Farm.
• Heather Mann, from principal of Knapp Elementary to principal of Bridle Path.
Stoll and board Vice President Ed Diasio both thanked district administrative staff, including Superintendent Curt Dietrich and Director of Human Resources Cheryl McCue, for their work in filling so many positions so quickly.
“Appointing new district administrators is never a simple task or one that should be taken lightly,” Dietrich said.
“We as a district put a lot of time, consideration, and planning into selecting the best candidates for each position with the feedback from our staff, families, and community serving as a key role in that process,” he said.