From left, Dr. Scott Hand, Dr. Jennifer Saksa, Dr. Leslee Hutchinson, Dr. Lawrence Cannon, Dr. Jessica Kilmetz, Dr. Jeremy Curtis, Dr. Andrea Farina, Dr. Che Regina, Dr. Nicole Addis, Mr. Cale Hilbolt, Dr. Leah Reider, Dr. Jonathan Propper, Dr. Amy Jenkins, Dr. George F. Fiore (Not pictured: Mr. Brad Bentman, Dr. Lawrence Cannon, Mr. Bill Dougherty, Dr. Damian Johnston, Dr. Adam Penning, Dr. Edward Smith, Dr. Joanna Wexler.)
The Chester County Intermediate Unit’s (CCIU) Suburban Schools Study Council (SSSC) proudly announces the successful completion of its Aspiring Superintendent Leadership Academy. This comprehensive program, designed to prepare future educational leaders, concluded its sessions with high recommendations and great reviews from the 20 participants.
The Aspiring Superintendents Leadership Academy, led by CCIU Executive Director Dr. George F. Fiore and drawing participants from various school districts in southeastern Pennsylvania, aimed to equip aspiring superintendents with essential skills and knowledge for effective educational leadership. The program included four half-day sessions focusing on the nature of the superintendency, board relations, crisis management, and fiscal management.
Participants included assistant superintendents, directors, and principals from Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Berks Counties.
Each session featured distinguished panels of school district superintendents who shared their experiences and answered questions. Esteemed panelists included Dr. Ken Bachelor from Radnor Township School District, Dr. Susan Elliott from Upper Moreland School District, Dr. M. Christopher Marchese from Avon Grove School District, and Dr. John Sanville from Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. Other notable contributors were Dr. Marc Bertrando of Garnet Valley School District, Dr. Tina Kane of Marple Newtown School District, Mr. Christian Temchatin of Kutztown Area School District, and Dr. MaryJo Yannacone of the School District of Springfield Township. The panel was further enriched by the insights of Dr. Ryan Axe from Manheim Central School District, Dr. Daniel Goffredo from Great Valley School District, Dr. Maureen Reusche from the School District of Haverford Township, and Dr. Allyn Roche from Upper Perkiomen School District.
During the board relations session, aspiring superintendents also benefited from experiences shared by school board members. These included Dr. Victoria Gehrt, president of Kennett Consolidated School District; Amy Goldman, president of Radnor Township School District and former sectional advisor of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA); Jeff Hellrung, policy chair of Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and vice president of the Chester County Intermediate Unit Board of Directors; and Bonnie Wolff, President of Avon Grove School District and president of the Chester County Intermediate Unit Board of Directors.
The success of the Aspiring Superintendents Leadership Academy underscores CCIU’s commitment to fostering a strong, competent, and visionary educational leadership pipeline. By enhancing the skills and confidence of aspiring superintendents, the SSSC contributes significantly to the quality of education and student outcomes within southeastern Pennsylvania.
