Centennial School District board in Pennsylvania votes to approve Abram Lucabaugh as next superintendent
In a 5-4 vote, the Centennial School District board approved Abram Lucabaugh as the system's next superintendent during a meeting Tuesday night.
The vote followed weeks of concern over Lucabaugh, who was considered the top candidate for the job leading the school district in Warminster, Pennsylvania.
Parents and community members gathered ahead of the meeting, some holding signs opposing Lucabaugh's hiring.
At the start of the meeting, board member Jane Lynch asked Lucabaugh to withdraw his application.
"I do not want to have a lawsuit … We do not need all this diversion from a superintendent," Lynch said.
To that, Mary Alice Brancato, president of the Centennial Board of School Directors, said, "This is a place we all live, this is a place we all love, and we are all making our decisions accordingly."
Lucabaugh is the former Central Bucks superintendent. He received $700,000 severance package when he resigned from that role in November 2023. Central Bucks faced criticism and legal action for policies under his leadership, including banning pride flags and certain books.
Lucabaugh said during a school board meeting last week that he would not advocate for those controversial policies in Centennial.
Prior to the vote, some community members expressed concern during public comment.
The first speaker said in part, "Do not vote for someone who lies about his past and then takes no responsibility for it. We do not want someone like this here at Centennial."
"This search has happened behind closed doors," said another speaker.
As the public comments neared completion, a speaker said, "I believe it will be very difficult for Dr. Lucabaugh to succeed in Centennial because of the skepticism and opposition he already faces."
Ultimately, the board voted to approve Lucabaugh, drawing immediate reaction from those in attendance.
"I'm distraught, my children are young, they have many years ahead of them in this school district. I know Central Bucks is still digging out of the damage he caused to their school district," said Nancy Pontius, spokesperson for Concerned Citizens of the Centennial School District.
Lucabaugh did not attend the meeting. The current superintendent is retiring at the end of this school year.
