Centennial School District welcomes Abram Lucabaugh as the new superintendent.
Centennial School District Appoints New Superintendent Despite Community Opposition
In a 5-4 vote, the Centennial School District board of directors chose Abram Lucabaugh as their new superintendent on Tuesday night, drawing heavy criticism from local residents.
Community members aired their concerns about Lucabaugh's tenure as superintendent in the Central Bucks School District from 2021 to 2023, citing an anti-LGBTQ discrimination lawsuit and a massive $700,000 severance package received shortly after the Central Bucks school board flipped Democratic.
"It is undeniable that he accrued substantial legal fees defending controversial policies," said Neal Miller at the meeting. "Furthermore, he left with a substantial golden parachute after a new school board was elected."
The community forum last week saw Lucabaugh promise not to advocate for divisive policies similar to those implemented in Central Bucks during his tenure and pledging to meet with LGBTQ students and community members to better understand their experiences.
School board president Mary Alice Brancato, who supported Lucabaugh's appointment, told concerned community members that "the board makes the policies, not the superintendent."
Nancy Pontius, spokesperson for Concerned Citizens of Centennial School District, expressed her disappointment with the outcome of the vote. She emphasized the need to ensure that the policies under Lucabaugh's leadership in Central Bucks, which included Pride flag bans and book restrictions, do not find their way into the Centennial district.
"Our plan moving forward is to keep a watchful eye on school boards, listening for concerning policies," said Pontius. "We have allies across districts and will turn to them for support and guidance when necessary."
In response, Lucabaugh stated during the forum, "I want to understand how we can start to remove obstacles, build bridges, and work together to make you feel welcome."
References
- NBC Philadelphia (2025, May 28). Contentious Meeting Over Centennial School District Superintendent Appointment. Retrieved from https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/centennial-school-district-superintendent-appointment-meeting-514558661.html
- CBS Philly (2025, May 28). Community Divided Over New Centennial School District Superintendent. Retrieved from https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2025/05/28/community-divided-over-new-centennial-school-district-superintendent/
- 6ABC Action News (2025, May 25). Community Forum Introduces New Centennial School District Superintendent. Retrieved from https://6abc.com/community-forum-introduces-new-centennial-school-district-superintendent/11632885/
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (2025, May 29). Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Lawsuit and Severance Package Contribute to Community Opposition of Centennial School District Superintendent Appointment. Retrieved from https://www.inquirer.com/education/centennial-school-district-superintendent-appointment-opposition-20250529.html
- Despite community concerns about Lucabaugh's history of implementing controversial policies, such as Pride flag bans and book restrictions, during his tenure in Central Bucks, he promised to work towards removing obstacles and building bridges in the Centennial School District.
- As education and self-development intertwine with general news, the appointments of school superintendents can spark debates in politics, with community members expressing their opinions regarding Lucabaugh's new role in the Centennial School District, emphasizing the need for unbiased policies and a welcoming environment for all students.
