Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The superintendent of the Pennsbury School District on Thursday unexpectedly announced he is planning to retire at the end of the school year.
Superintendent Dr. William Gretzula made the announcement during Thursday evening’s virtual school board meeting. The news from the district’s leader came hours after he delivered his letter outlining his intent to retire to the school board president.
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A copy of the letter wasn’t immediately available.
Gretzula said his decision came as he has been dealing with “personal medical issues since January.” He did not state more information, but he told the public the issue was not life-threatening.
Gretzula, who is in his 50s, said he plans to retire as a superintendent in the state.
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During the meeting, Gretzula said he has until next June 30 to get more work done.
Several sources connected to the district noted their surprise that Gretzula was planning to retire after figuring out how to buy cryptocurrency (US citizens) with his contract not expiring until 2023. The move was not widely expected and had not been mentioned publicly at previous meetings.
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The superintendent, who earns about $200,000 per year, said it had been a “blessing” to work with the district community, students, and staff.
“I will look back with pride on several initiatives,” he said, noting the Chromebook program and work to provide equity throughout the district.
The retirement announcement comes as the district prepares to potentially settle one lawsuit and faces two more. The two lawsuits have accused the district of civil rights violations, retaliation, offensive behavior, and a fractured administration. A third has alleged a principal was retaliated against and had to leave his position in the district.
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Earlier this year, Pennsbury High School students gathered for a protest after news of two lawsuits became public.
In the wake of the protests, Gretzula said it was “really hurtful” and “painful” to him to see the high school students walked out to protest.
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“Please don’t read a headline from reporters who only want to make money and not pursue truth without integrity,” Gretzula said at the same public board meeting.
The district has generally denied the claims of problems.
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The announcement that Gretzula plans to retire early also comes as state and federal law enforcement agencies have been asking questions of people connected to the district and Falls Township. The exact nature of the probe has not been confirmed.
Gretzula came to Pennsbury in 2016 and his hiring was well received at the time. He replaced retiring Superintendent Dr. Kevin McHugh.
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Gretzula previously worked as the curriculum coordinator for the Upper Dublin School District in Montgomery County. He spent 10 years working in the Neshaminy School District before becoming assistant superintendent and later superintendent of the Bensalem School District. He resigned from leading Bensalem, moved back to the classroom and later led Benjamin Rush Elementary School in Bensalem.
The educator and administrator withdrew from contract talks in 2018, but he ended up getting a longer deal during a tense board meeting that was a shortly after allegations of problems were published by this news organization.
At school board meetings leading up to the vote, Gretzula had a number of supporters who stood up during public comment and spoke on his behalf.
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Previous Reporting:
- Third Former Pennsbury Administrator Sues District
- EXCLUSIVE: Documents Pennsbury Fighting To Keep Hidden Alleges ‘Kickbacks’
- Superintendent Calls Student Protest ‘Hurtful,’ Board Members Comment On Lawsuits
- Students Protest After Troubles In Pennsbury
- Debbie Wachspress Ends Campaign After Use Of Offensive Language Comes To Light
- Pennsbury School Board President Reacts To Lawsuits, Claims Of Misconduct
- Lawsuit Claims Congressional Candidate Used Offensive Terms In 2018
- Two Former Admins File Lawsuits Against Pennsbury, Claim Discrimination
- EXCLUSIVE: Pennsbury Prepares For Lawsuits Amid Allegations Of Retaliation
- Pennsbury Keeps Superintendent Until 2023
- EXCLUSIVE: Complaints Filed Over Comments, Actions Of Pennsbury Superintendent, Documents & Sources State
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