Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Pennsbury School District Superintendent Dr. William Gretzula will not seek to renew his contract and a number of school board members implied there was more to the story.
Gretzula, whose deal ends June 30, 2019, made the announcement at Thursday evening’s school board meeting.
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“It is a difficult position because I’ve rarely had a more purposeful position,” he said.
The longtime educator and administrator was hired by the school board in May 2016 and began his job in July of that year. His contract was for three years and he was paid a starting salary of $171,500.
Gretzula told the public at the meeting that he is proud of the “positive impacts” he has overseen during his relatively short time leading the district. He said the next superintendent will have the honor of overseeing the school system that has plenty of proud traditions.
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Although Gretzula’s announcement did not detail why he planned to leave the district, several board members did make statements that implied potential reasoning.
Board member Josh Waldorf made a comment during Thursday evening’s meeting that Board President Jacqui Redner and fellow members Nancy Lawson, John Palmer, and Christian Schwartz did not offer Gretzula a longer contract. He also said T.R. Kannan joined those he felt did not put their full support behind Gretzula.
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Waldorf added the board should keep Gretzula.
Comparing the school board to “Game of Thrones,” Waldorf said the governing body has been “micromanaged” and “encouraged whispers of discontent.”
In his comments, board member Gary Sanderson called for the body to act in a “professional and civil” manner. He also said Gretzula was an “admired and respected leader,” noting his impending departure could have been avoided.
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Board member Christine Toy-Dragoni made a comment that she was “disappointed in the leadership of this board” and stated there has been a “gross abuse of power,” implying it was by a member or members of the school board. She added she had been hesitant to voice her opinion but was “genuinely concerned.”
Board member Deb Wachspress said the school board has been in a “tumultuous place” and its members have been “overstepping their normal roles.”
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Wachpress told the public the board leadership “interfered in central administration” and “severely challenged our superintendent’s ability to lead.”
“The truth is, this board blew it, and the public should be outraged,” she added.
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Wachpress chided those who threw insults on Facebook instead of coming out to school board meetings.
“Dr Gretzula, I wish things worked more functionally on this board,” she said.
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Redner, Lawson, Palmer, Schwartz, and Kannan all declined to comment on the charges leveled by their fellow board members at the meeting.
