Four months. Twenty-five applications. Countless interviews.
After an intensive nationwide search for a new superintendent to serve Centennial School District, Dr. Dana Bedden, who brings over 27 years of experience in administrative and educational leadership, was deemed the best man for the job. He replaces Dr. David Baugh, who accepted a superintendent position with Aspen School District in Colorado.
“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,” said Bedden, who comes to CSD from Boyertown School District, where he was also superintendent. “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.”
On Monday, Aug. 3, Andrew Dixon, board president, and Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (which led the national search), moderated a virtual meet-and-greet with Bedden, allowing students, parents and staff to get to know the district’s new leader. Prior to the conversation, they were invited to submit questions via an electronic form.
Bedden described his varied background when asked what strengths he’ll bring to CSD.
“I’ve worked in districts as small as 5,500 and as large as 200,000. I’ve also had the opportunity to serve in districts that are predominantly African American, predominantly Caucasian, predominantly Hispanic,” he said. “I’ve served as a middle school teacher, an athletic director, high school principal, regional superintendent.”
In Bedden’s opinion, helping students achieve success is a team effort.
“No one person makes the school district. No one person is the school district,” he said. “I think it is an honor to serve as a leader of a school district, but it really is about a team.”
He also believes in a holistic approach to education, with a balanced focus on Centennial’s key areas of athletics, academics and the arts. With his son simultaneously an athlete and marching band member, and his daughter a track star and choir member who also has an interest in learning Spanish, he understands the importance of the “three As.”
“To produce a student who is college, career and life ready, we need to create opportunities for them to be exposed to all three of those things,” he said. “Within our capacity and resources, they are an integral part of an education program.”
Ultimately, Bedden doesn’t want to just create “test takers” who place high emphasis on standardized test scores and GPA. According to him, many universities are looking at much more, including extracurricular activities and the rigor of coursework. For example, a student who earns a B in an AP-level class will most likely be considered for acceptance over the student who received an A in a less-intensive course.
Regarding COVID-19, Bedden has been following the lead of acting superintendent Dr. Thomas Seidenberger and the school board to come up with a health and safety plan for the fall. During a special board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, it was approved that students will start the school year fully online, with asynchronous and synchronous lessons. If COVID-19 case numbers remain low, a hybrid option (in-person and remote) will be available in November.
While Bedden said it’s a “lose lose” situation no matter what school districts choose, the lives of the Centennial family remain the priority.
“You can always make up a day, but you can’t make up a life. We have to err on the side of safety first and making sure that every student and staff member is still with us post-COVID,” he explained. “Schools can’t do it alone. We’re in unprecedented times and it’s a challenge for all of us, and we really have to band together to provide solutions to meet the needs of our students and community during this pandemic. The students are watching how we respond. They need our support. They need calmness. This is something that many of them will look back on and wonder how they got through it.”
Dixon expressed his confidence in Bedden.
“Everywhere he has been, he has helped districts to align instruction for improved educational focus and results. More, he has done so while being a champion of striving for equity in educational outcomes, which is both an area of strength for our district and a key continued goal in Centennial, given the economic and social diversity of our communities and students,” Dixon said. “With Dr. Bedden and his years of experience here to lead, I anticipate being able to face and overcome the significant challenge presented by COVID to our ability to continue to deliver top-quality education.”
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
