Community Survey Results

*Edited only to remove names and to remove inappropriate language. 

• Spring Grove is a small district, however we have started to become more diverse. Spring Grove was a rural school in decades past but had been changing.
• Spring Grove is a fantastic district to raise children in. The people here mostly have a great sense of pride in our district. As a long time coach in the district the pride our community takes in it's athletics is fantastic. As a parent of young children in the district my interests in the district are both current day, and stretch long down the road.
• The teachers and staff have the students' best interests in mind. Additional teachers would help alleviate teachers burnout.
• Academics is the first priority
• Many political opinions that do not consider a quality education for all students.
• The people here are the District's best attribute. The Community feeling is strong, and plays a large role in everything that the District does.
• In the past, this district is a family and all members were be treated as an important part of that family, students, parents, teachers, and staff. Everyone wanted to take ownership of making the district "rocket proud" because we were made to feel that we were valued and integral to the district. All decisions, from small class sizes, to the academic programs offered were in the best interest of the students. The past several superintendents have eroded that concept to the point that no one feels valued or heard. I moved here specifically for my daughter to go to Spring Grove, and now I am not sure I still feel that way. I want us to get back to where we were so that we can continue to be a great school district where people move here because of the reputation of our schools.
• Would like community support
• The culture of SG
• That providing a quality education to every student is important.
• There were concerns/difficulties with the last superintendent so trust may be challenging at the start.
• Our motto is learning without limits but we are routinely limiting our students through our lack of opportunities. This is a growing district and we need to grow to provide appropriate opportunities for our children.
• This is a small close knit community and you need to get to know the people. The most important thing about this district are the kids and the faculty and staff who are pouring into them. Many in the community are supportive of education, but many are are not. Don't just go to an administrator for questions and answers. Go into the classroom and see what is happening.
• It’s political and kids are left behind. Our athletic department and its leader is a joke.
• Rocket Nation will not put up with someone who thinks they are above everyone else
• It would be ideal to have someone in the role who is familiar with our district, the past issues, the current collaborations, the Roth's Church Road Community Partnership, the value of community, the losses and struggles our community has faced over the last few months, etc.
• They district will require a strong leader to improve the culture.
• The large sixth grade class has overfilled classes and has had the most changes during their educational career. It has caused them stress due to changes and lack of the ability to get attention from the teachers.
• ******** is an amazing instrumental teacher and his skills are being wasted teaching general music. They are not getting the same quality of instruction this year. We are going to lose an asset to our district. I fear that the music program will lose musicians. My child thrives at music, and with working so hard in school, it gives my child something to look forward to, and use a different part of her brain.
• There needs to be equal funding for all sports.
• There is a lot of wasteful spending. Every time I go past the heath services building, there is no one there. They are being paid a lot for doing nothing. At the elementary level, my child came home with pencil boxes, dry erase markers, binders, and such that could be used again. Where funds are being used, could be moved towards useful field trips.
• Even the youngest students need to be given more voice and be taken seriously. They are smart and have impressive insight if you pause long enough to truly listen.
• Spring Grove is a student-first school district committed to making decisions that provide the best possible learning opportunities.
• Great programs like rocketry and music are not having enough funds for kids
• Too much favoritism. Most staff is related, new hires need to "know" someone to be hired even though they are not the best candidate.
• Many kids walk through those SGASD doors only to return home distraught and in tears, barely making it through their day emotionally. This is not normal. Absences would improve if kids weren't desparately trying to avoid being ridiculed, insulted and physically harmed and threatened...daily. They deserve better. Please do something!
• The school board has not put the best interests of the students and taxpayers first. They have put their own agenda first.
• The district is doing a nice job helping kids see many career options in action, it is very important to continue and expand on this. That would include getting some sort of JR. ROTC program in the district.
• The new super should be a resident of our district, know our district, connect with our district, and develop trust with the members of our district.
• How to stay equal to other local districts in academics, arts, and athletics.
• Our community culture and values 2) Our commitment to academic and whole child success 3) Our strengths as an administrative team 4) Our opportunities and challenges and 5) Understand the type of leadership we value.
• Politics divide us, but shouldn’t. Bring us together, don’t let us tear ourselves apart.
• I would like them to get to know ******* and be a good leader who cares!
• This is a tight knit community and the new superintendent should be able to fully immerse themselves in this community. The district is a microcosm of the larger community.
• Also, many of our teachers are burned out and more and more is getting piled on their plates. Cutting costs and increasing workloads and not investing in curriculum and resources at all levels in order to save a bit of money has lost this district some great teachers who are finding how much happier and less stressed they are working or teaching elsewhere.
• Transparency and building trust matters
• Our district and students are diverse, racially, socioeconomically as well as academically.
• The teachers in the district really care for their students and families and bend over backwards to support our children.
• The dedication of our teachers and staff to the success of our children is absolutely amazing!
• I would like the next superintendent to know that we are in a very important and vital transitional phase. There is a lot of needs and concerns that need to be addressed, from both the community, staff, and students. We are an amazing community that is filled with so much love. However, over the past few years, I feel that we have lost some of that compassion in our district and schools.
• Great community who cares about their students.
• there are only 2 genders!
• That we value a leader that is a great role model for our students, teachers, and community.
• Historically, what has worked with good superintendents in the past
• Family focused and loyal to the community, not quick to accept change even if it is for the betterment of all
• It is inclusive and we need to keep it that way.
• We are a close nit community and we have SGASD pride.
• Small town, great community that supports our schools
• The Board is not truly trusted by everyone. Seems there are background agenda's for most of them and they push against the people that know the jobs/situations. Making it difficult to be excited about being on staff.
• Spring Grove is a district has been something the community has been involved with and proud of up until recently. I am hoping we can return to that level.
• We have great staff, great kids, and live in a great community. We should be proud of being a rocket.
• We have a fantastic community and school staff but burnout is real and lack of compassion and support for staff is causing staff to feel overwhelmed and wanting to leave SGASD.
• It is a very close community!
• We need good direction from the top administrators. It can be hard to get information shared from the top down through appropriate channels and instead the wrong people end up delivering the message which increases frustration and push back.
• At the core we are tight knit and have the ability to be and produce shining examples of success but when students/staff/community do not have a clear united path there is a lot of petty bickering not much gets done
• This is a community with a strong sense of history. Many of the current taxpayers are also graduates of SGASD, as were their parents.
• We are a family- like any family, tempers can get heated and emotions can be extremely high. We look out for one another and in the past, we have put kids first. We have gotten away from that and need to get back to it.
• There is a lot of potential for SG to be a top district in the County. We need higher expectations in the classroom for students across the board, not just at the higher grades. k-8 students need to develop skills and be more competent coming into HS so they can reach their full potential. We need higher expectations for parents, community members, teachers, basically everyone in the district.
• Communication is terrible
• Spring Grove is a small, tight-knit community. There is a lot of potential to harness for positive endeavors.
• We are Rocket Proud, but we have been through a lot over the last few years. We would like a leader who will actually listen to those of us who are doing all the work with the students
• We need a person who is able to boost morale and build trust with staff.
• We have some people that live in this district that act like they are perfect! They love to judge people!
• We have active community participation when there is something that is disliked and a highly involved board
• I wish they would have experience and knowledge of our schools already
• We have turned down promotions in order to stay in this area because the school district is great and want it to stay that way there some changes needed of coarse, however it's 2025 and it's a different world than what we grew up in and everyone should feel safe and able to be cared for and educated no matter their beliefs or affiliation.
• The morale of the teaching community is low and the confidence on the decisions being made is waning. Would like the new superintendent to bolster morale. SGASD has many outstanding programs and after school programs, which are key differentiators. Cutting programs due to lack of funding needs to be taken care off. Diversity is key to the district and inclusiveness and anti-bullying measures need to be strengthened.
• We are a diverse community and staff, with lots of experience. We can be greater when we all work together and not tear each other down.
• SGASD is going through a difficult time right now. Between the embarrassment of the last superintendent, the school board's negligence in handling that situation appropriately, and the recent events in the community (loss of police officers and H & H fire) there's been a lot of negativity. We need leadership that's going to guide us through these rough times sensitively and rebuild faith and security.
• Our community is tight knit and we hold to our traditions.
• It isn't about the bottom, but about what is best for the students. Just because a teacher is legally allowed to have a large case load /class size of students does not mean it is an okay decision for the teachers or students.
• Their focus is the kids
• Our uniqueness and community support
• Board member actions have placed SGASD on a path to defund education
• Wonderful teachers and families; we need parking around the stadium; the school should be sending report cards out to families at least 1-2 times/year; need to repair faith in school admin and pride for the school
• Our history of being burned by the previous superintendent and the concerns we have about the school board members who voted for him.
• Spring Grove is a special place, with a small-town charm and big possibilities for our students. Our families are fiercely dedicated and show their Rocket Pride at every turn, from concerts to Curriculum Fairs to athletics. We need to continue to invest in our students and teachers, while offering high-quality educational and extra-curricular opportunities to our kids. Our community deserves (and should expect) respect, transparency, accountability, and a relationship-oriented leadership style that positively contributes to staff and student culture.
• We are not 100% red.
• The negative view of teachers needs to be changed, and people who do not have any educational background shouldn't be the only ones able to make decisions.
• Spring Grove is a very small, tight-knit community. People are born here and stay here, and many now work for the district. We value everything from college preparedness to agriculture education. We need someone who understands these diverse needs and is willing to learn about us and move us forward.
• I would like them to know that the teachers truly care about the students and their job but we are stretched too thin and at a breaking point.
• Communication stinks
• Our history- that SG is a small, but very proud community dedicated to quality instruction and strong relationships with our students.
• This community is awesome. We do so many things so well. Our students are lucky to attend here.
• communication is very important and should convey all things from Staff to Community
• This district needs a someone who is positive, gets to know the buildings and teachers. They must be attentive and willing to support their staff.
• moral is low, our name losing its good standing, and we need someone to elevate us
• The lack of substitutes is a constant issue. Administrators have to spend so much time figuring out how to have adult supervision of children. Staff members are being asked to teach other classes at the detriment of their own student caseloads.
• The district is a close knit community, where everyone knows everyone. Staff does not adapt well to change. We can't keep operating the same way as the past 25+ years.
• The teaching staff is extremely dedicated and truly desires for all students to succeed.
• We are a quality school district but we have not been led well with our last superintendent. As morale and retaining teachers due to increasing stress and teachers feeling overwhelmed and not supported is an issue, we need a superintended will and able to address these issues. A lot say they are but yet nothing positive seems to occur. We need a leder that is willing to put his heart and soul into this district and allow it to once again flourish and be a quality place to work.
• That so many of the teachers and staff care deeply about the students and want to always do what's right, not just what is popular in media/culture/etc.
• How dedicated most of the teachers are to their students
• The longevity of many of the staff members, the small town feel with big academic goals
• Spring Grove has had a challenging few years partially driven by a Superintendent who was NOT the right choice for the district. The new superintendent will need to rebuild specific areas - fiscal responsibility, staffing losses, etc. However, this town will absolutely get behind and support a candidate who has the student’s best interests in mind and does so in a fiscally responsible and transparent (when possible) manner.
• We were once a place others wanted to work at/attend. Not anymore. How can we get that back?
• He Would Like To Know About The Schools.
• Communication stinks
• The district is full of highly qualified, motivated individuals who want to help students achieve; however, staffs' expertise needs to be valued.
• We always come together when someone is in need
• Curriculum and academics are important.
• We are a strong community who support each other to help educate our future.
• We are a close knit family in the district seat
• As a district, we want a responsible, respectable leader, who takes the community and teaching staff into consideration. We are proud of our students and teachers.
• Although the school district is large and growing, it still maintains a small-town feel.
• That we are very loyal and very proud to be Rockets. If you are loyal, responsible, caring and honest, it will take you far in our community. We need to get back to realizing our teachers are our most important asset. They “spread the wealth” to our most precious possessions. Without them, the dominos fall.
• Teachers are high quality and committed to teaching for the right reasons. Kids are full of potential and in need of positive/encouraging instruction with good/firm boundaries.
• We have good people in the district and on the board. The board has a responsibility to the taxpayers to control spending. Too much frivolous spending in the past on fluff.
• Culture is broken and waiting taxpayers money
• SGASD is a great district with a great staff & a caring, involved community.
• The schools are doing an amazing job with the students. Our community supports our kids. Our parents are trying their VERY hardest in VERY trying times. We want a leader who shows these same commitments.
• Newer administration/staff doesn’t show the same compassion for the profession. Also, there’s a major lack of communication and support.
• Spring grove is a strong community with deep roots , the community cares about our students, wants what’s best for them to grow and become productive citizens.
• Versatile economic households
• The district needs a strong leader without controversy.
• We have many loving residents m
• Our student population is somewhat diverse; culturally, socio-economically, and academically. The commitment of the staff at SGASD is exceptional; they all work hard at their jobs to give students their best effort.
• K-2 teachers need more support
• Too much of slapping on wrists and not enough structure. We are building and shaping our future!!
• A lot of issues with poor management of district from school board. Board to liberal
• The parents are hard to please.
• We are a close knit community who listens to all stake holders and truly values our opinions.
• We have been through a lot. The staff have worked hard to keep things going and pushing forward. We are eager to have leadership that communicates and takes in the best interest of the students, while values the input of the staff.
• They need to be knowledgeable about the district, it's demographics, the culture of the community, they need to realize that this district is very large with all socioeconomic profiles. The elementary school lines - this is causing an uneven distribution of students to the elementary schools. The political profile is very much republican based but education needs to be more liberal based because we are educating children.
• Our school board is more about pinching a penny than providing a good education for our students.
• The staff are not happy. They do not feel supported, nor is the district a comfortable or inviting place to work.
• We are a strong community but our school board failed us with our last hire. We are upset but resilient. We have amazing teachers and staff, and our kids are making a difference when they graduate.
• It’s an awesome district - conservative, family-oriented, traditional.
• We are a supportive, diligent, resilient community.
• Community matters - continue to strengthen that full community support mentality
• It's a close knit community, with many people who graduated from SGSD returning to teach here.
• We are a close community who cares deeply for our children. Please advocate for our children. Please make decisions as if your own child was impacted.
• Rockets are the best / most dedicated
• I would like the new superintendent to be a part of the school district. Promote from within our own knowledge base - they know what our district needs and can stand with us, not for us.
• Great community, good schools, solid professional staff. Exodus of good people under ***** and current board so rebuilding is needed. Board is destroying district because most don’t understand education or care about it. Community values it schools and wants to keep them great.
• I would like the new superintendent to already be very familiar with the school district and community.
• Know the culture of school and community
• This is a close community, we can be wary of outsiders. That means both new people moving to the district and a potential new superintendent who isn't from the area
• Know that our school’s reputation is not correct.
• SG is a great community
• There are MANY changes needing to be made. Most notably the school board itself. Don't hide things like has been done in the past. Open the doors and let the public know what has been done, what is being done and what will be done.
• We have a wonderful reputation and want to see us grow.
• Desire for quality education
• be involved in the meetings and get the board members to be involved and talk in the meetings and not to just sit there and stare in to space.
• Small knit community that wants to uphold Christian values
• It is a school district whose quality has diminished over the past few years, but has resilient stakeholders who can channel positive changes with the correct person in charge.
• We are a district who cares about our students and their quality of education.
• We are a district who cares about our students and their quality of education.
• We have some of the best teachers I have ever met. We teach with passion and purpose while viewing our students as people. We need to bring back that focus on the child, not a score/number.
• There is a distinct lack of trust and belief in district administration. This needs immediate attention.
• Building level administration is poor and teaching staff has taken a lot of hits in the last 5 years
• Weak building administration
• Fantastic staff; political dissension between members of the current school board; staff morale is poor, and there is a lack of trust due to lack of transparency and honesty
• We care so much but are tired of piece meaning curriculum and not being included in decisions that directly relate to our roles.
• Our board is divided. Live up to the expectations that were established with ****** There was a lot of mistrust with *******. There is a lot of mistrust between administration and professional staff.
• Small town. We have community involvement and take pride in our district.
• Culture of the town and conservative values in the area
• Our staff is incredible but can feel undervalued. Specially, support staff can often feel disposable. Our schools could not run without them. I think it is important for the future superintendent to understand that even the least glamorous roles within the building are often some of the most important. The individuals that fill those roles should be highlighted and encouraged as a method to sustain their work.
• I believe the superintendent needs to understand the connectedness of the greater school community. There is an immense amount of pride in the community, but there is also a massive lost of trust resulting from the last year or two. Build on those connections to reestablish trust in the district's leadership.
• SG is a fairly tight knit community. We like to see the superintendent at events. Even the ones that might not be very popular.
• Spring Grove is a very family-centered area. We thrive on being a small community with big ideas for positive change.
• The Spring Grove Are School District is unique and it's country roots run deep. It is a district dedicated to students and the families it serves. It also has strong American values.
• This is a close knit community
• Strong leader
• How diverse our district is with student backgrounds and home life situations, and how our district should continue to support ALL students.
• That we have incredible students, faculty and staff. We have families who are dedicated to our students. We are pushing the envelope towards strong, effective instruction while meeting the many needs of our diverse student population.
• We are a family and we deeply care about out students, staff, and community. We are ROCKET PROUD. Many teachers are Spring Grove residents, SG parents or former parents, and/or alumni of SG. I want someone who is going to support the teachers, but ultimately do what's best for the students (all ages-Kindergarten to high school).
• We have a strong community that wants to keep our kids safe and allow them to form their own opinions.
• That we have a great community and teachers that care about the students but want support/ to be heard from by administrators.
• We need to focus less on data and more on the children! Teachers need support.
• We have a rich history that needs to be expanded into the future
• Our past students’ success and our current students’ future capabilities
• It was a great school district, does not appear to be great any longer.
• Please bring back administration that supports their teachers. Stop giving teachers busy work, respect teachers as professionals. The teachers use to feel supported by our administrators. That is not the case now, we feel micromanaged, untrusted, and sadly not supported. Our time is not valued and everything is about data. Children are NOT data! Sone students behaviors are out of control and administrators do not support the teacher.
• What parents want and what the school board want are drastically different. The school board are people with flexible schedules who could run for office - they don’t represent those of us who are working parents and have students in the district
• There is a very diverse financial status of the parents.
• Strong instructional staff; struggles with change and evolvement; differentiation and diverse needs are a struggle for instructional staff to see their important role in supporting those needs
• The area And the district
• Fantastic students, supportive families, dedicated staff
• We are at a crucial point - staff have left, budgeting and tax issues are beginning to affect academics, depending how this process goes I could see an exponential increase in administrators and staff leaving
• Great kids, great facilities, great community, great location
• We have very diverse student needs and all deserve to be heard and met equally
• Spring Grove is a community that cares about education. We have excellent, committed teachers, and dedicated volunteers. The school is the heart of this area of the county. Parents move here for our strong programs. We currently have a Board that doesn't understand the role that schools play in increasing property values, or how they work, and so fundamentally only know about expenses. They have, to date, been less ideological than other Boards elected by the same PACs.
• It is a tight-knit and very involved community where everyone knows everyone
• Our classrooms are bursting with little to no support
• We have a very willing and caring staff that will do what needs to be done for the benefit of our students. In turn, feeling supported and listened to when appropriate goes a long way in building a successful culture for learning for our students.
• Spring Grove school district is a good place to working and we need a good leader to continue to help our district grow and for our students to get the best education possible.
• Diversity and different cultural backgrounds are important and the school district should not serve just some people and just some cultural backgrounds. Equity and inclusion is a top priority.
• it is amazing to be a Rocket from Pre-K to 12. Executive leadership will deny their professional ethics to align with school leadership decisions who are operating off of emotion rather than rational and logical processing through the denial of the public and published Student Handbook expectations and student Civil Rights through ignoring precedents and law issued through IDEA and Rehabilitation Act (1973) Section 504.
• All students have not always been treated with the same level of care and concern. Special Ed students need as much support as general education students. Students interested in the arts need as much support as those in athletics. Not only do teachers and admin have an impact on our students but coaches as well. Coaches need to be held to a higher standard of behavior than they currently are.
• Spring Grove strong!
• Yes
• We are struggling from a hit to our reputation. Our Board is divided, and the penny pinching is beginning to cost us qualified hires, and threatens to cost us staff positions. Our last several hires in many roles have had no or very limited educational experience. We need a cheerleader who can give the district a vision and rally the community to support it.
• Spring Grove is a close knit community that was once one of the top districts in the area. That reputation has taken a hit recently, and the community needs to be reminded and reinvigorated.
• Improving Teacher to student climate especially teachers who at or near retirement. The new superintendent should stay consistent on communications where the message is the same and consistent, no playing one against the other and no favorites. Don’t be afraid to address the small issues before they become large issues. Learn to rely on Administrators feedback and opinions, SGASD should not be dictatorship
• Spring Grove is a close knit and supportive community that provides a high level education and has excellent extra curricular activities, fantastic children, and a very hard working staff. This truly is an amazing district. However, the high turnover rate in administration (upper and building level) in the past few years has caused instability and disunity. The staff is overworked due to a shortage (due to reduction) of professional staff, aides, and substitutes. The majority of our board focuses more on cutting the budget (and not raising taxes) than thinking outside the box to support programming and the future of our children's education.
• The students feel heard when they are visited! Spring Grove is a family centered school district, where teachers work really hard to have good connections with their students.
• Our students thrive with access to multiple non-academic opportunities (athletics, music, rocketry, etc). Parents seek out these culture-, leadership-, and personality-building environments when choosing school districts for their kids. Please continue to invest not just in academics, but in the whole child.
• Overall we are a good school district but the families can't handle higher taxes like Dallastown are school district. Our last superintendent made our school and more importantly our school board look like a joke and the worst school district in York County. We need someone who is respectable.
• It’s a wonderful community but is becoming polarized by current board members who are part of a group that calls the shots.
• This is a culture of family, pride, and equality in education. The community supports our district, as our district supports our community in various ways.
• Rural community not big city woke teaching
• Community is very important. Teachers have not been heard for years. Please listen to them and truly hear what they are saying. Value their input.Value them.
• Desire for quality education
• We are largely comprised of a socially and fiscally conservative population. We do not want a superintendent that will embrace leftist DEI agendas or programs. We should treat all students equally but that does not mean creating and promoting programs that prioritize the 1% over the 99%. Our focus should be on the fundamentals of education such as reading, writing, math, communication, and leadership. We should not
• Commit resources to initiatives that push social agendas. We also need to increase programs that prepare students for careers in the trades and military service. Explore JROTC program.
• That he needs to show up to wrestling matches
• We have dedicated staff who really care about their students.
• There needs to be a plan for the future growth and balanced budgeting that do not involve major tax increases.
• Our community is small and mighty. Hopefully we will not be having any big controversial decisions to make. Just do what’s right. Pick someone who lives in our community or is willing to live close by. We have great teachers, please support them. Make spring grove special.
• SG has some of the best and brightest students AND teachers around. Leadership should work to maximize everyone’s talents, experiences, programs, etc. while providing a healthy/happy environment for all.
• Relationships matter
• Our school has lost the touch of students come first. Many of the task us teachers are given is busy work and it takes away from the time we have to set our students up for success. We are asked to be everything (teacher, nurse, principal, etc.), we have a hard time truly focusing on teaching our students. We are constantly testing our students, data is collected almost 24/7. Students are progressed monitored on their progress monitoring. Students are not first and it is scary. Please encourage relations to all staff, allow for our concerns as teachers be heard about curriculum, behaviors, resources. Allow staff to be apart of our past and present students lives. Relationships with them are important.
• We have been through a lot and we want someone who appreciates us and values us.
• Put students and teachers 1st.
• The new superintendent should know that teachers have felt undervalued and overextended in recent years, often treated more as expendable parts of a system than as professionals dedicated to students. Morale is low, and there is a strong desire for authentic leadership that prioritizes education and student well-being over business interests. We need a leader who listens first—someone who seeks to understand the experiences of staff and students before making decisions—and who empowers the business office to manage operations so the district can refocus on its true purpose: educating and caring for children.
• The district has an outstanding music program and a proud tradition of excellence that should be supported and expanded. The new superintendent should be committed to preserving and building upon that legacy while strengthening communication with all stakeholders. Listening to the “boots on the ground”—the teachers, staff, students, and families who live the district’s mission every day—is essential to understanding the real needs and opportunities within our schools. Spring Grove has strong academics and a wealth of opportunities for students to be involved and grow. I hope the new superintendent will honor that foundation and lead with integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to making the district even stronger
• As a parent, I want the new superintendent to know that our district’s strength is in its teachers and the great things they do for our kids every day. We already have good facilities—just keep them maintained. What we really need is a focus on education, not more buildings. Use our teachers to their strengths, support our music and academic programs, and keep kids engaged and involved. That’s what makes a school district great and what will keep our community proud.
• This is an excellent school district with teachers/staff that really care about the students.
• Even though we live in a culturally conservative area, we have a diverse community and a diverse student body. All of our students deserve to come to a school that is welcoming and opening for all and that welcoming culture starts with the school leadership.
• Morale is low and staff are distrusting after the last super
• That there is no employee that does not want the absolute best for the students of SG.
• That the community very much cares and is involved within the district, also that means they will take certain decisions personally (good or bad)
• The teachers have the best interests of the students/community in mind. The school board’s individual interests should not be the priority.
• We are a small, yet growing, community with diverse needs. We need someone who truly cares to commit to our district and our community.
• It is a unique place to work with people who care deeply about students.
• The community and the district are very supportive of one another
• we are a district that will put students first when it comes to decision making
• The Spring Grove Area School District is a close-knit, supportive community deserving of a leader who is loyal and shows integrity in all areas of life.
• We need more support, better communication, but this is a close community and the district is a one of the hubs of the community.
• Spring Grove is a diamond in the rough. Often overlooked when mixed in with other districts, BUT there are SO many wonderful things happening here behind the scenes. We want someone who is going to come into our classrooms, pull up a chair right next to the students, and talk to them. We want someone who sees us (teachers/staff) as real people...not robots. We are in the "kid business," and we have some of the best educators there are in this area across all grade levels. Come see that...be a part of that...lead us but also show us that even as the "top dog" you care too and are doing this for all of the right reasons. We just want someone to come in, not be afraid to get on our level, work alongside of us, communicate with us, and get SG back in the spotlight...but in a positive way!
• Diverse student body, able body professionals.
• Type of people we have here. We have become very diverse.
• The faculty and staff are extremely dedicated to their jobs every day, and always put the needs of the students ahead of their own.
• Our high school faculty is very hard-working and morale boosters are needed and appreciated. Please trust us to do our jobs and use in-service time and PLT time at our discretion. Don't give us excessive meetings and busy work.
• We are a very close and like family...We stick together and look out for one another
• I would like for them to know that we have incredible faculty members who care and who go the extra mile. Also, our programs are phenomenal, and the students understand that through the supports and resources provided for them in this district, they are being challenged to succeed while being supported. We don't need someone to shake things up, but instead, we need someone to value what we have built and foster future growth through communication with key players at all levels.
• I would like the superintendent to know that the faculty are experienced and dedicated. We have been through a lot and those of us who have stuck around are desperate to be heard and understood.
• It is a great community that bonds through athletics and small town pride!
• We are a tight knit community and want the new superintendent to be a part of this community.
• We work hard and try to get the most out of our students every single day in a very caring environment (I teach elementary).
• We do a lot of things well, and a lot of things need improvement.
• Spring Grove Area School District has been through A LOT of changes, I would say more so at the high school. In the last year we've lost a beloved school counselor whose absence is still felt every day in the halls. We had a problematic superintendent to say the least which embarrassed our school district and made a lot of community members and staff extremely frustrated and unhappy. Created a very negative vibe. Our principal went to elementary with an AP taking his place, we had an AP leave at the beginning of the year (*****) we have another AP leaving next month( ******). We hired a dean (*****). That's 3 new people in leadership roles, and now another new superintendent.
• We have a lot of amazing staff that really care about SG students. SG is lucky to have them and any district will tell you that. But teachers are tired and burning out. Earlier and earlier each year. The school calendar hasn't allowed for any 3 day weekends - we've had inservice each time the students are off. This increases call outs. Leadership needs to understand that we're not just teaching, assessing, grading, preparing - we're constantly problem solving, counseling, intervening, advocating, meeting, etc. It often feels like teachers are continually expected to do more with less.. This does not allow us to be our best selves or best serve our students. As a special education teacher - we have all of the tasks of a gen ed teacher and legal paperwork added in, as well as IEP meetings, navigating crises, etc.
• Staff morale needs a huge boost. Lack of substitutes are a huge issue that needs to be addressed. We should not be splitting classes as it affects the learning of entire grade levels.
• Our kids are amazing.
• We are a District who has long been known for its academics and teachers. This is no longer the case, and not the same district we moved back here for nor from which I graduated. Our community, students and tax payers don't need a political pawn. We need to retain our good teachers instead of them quitting to go elsewhere. We are a tight knit community. We have come together before and we can again, under the right leadership.
• Our district is strong and committed, but recent transitions have disrupted consistency. Re-establishing leadership team stability and alignment will be key to moving forward effectively.
• Our district is a wonderful place to be. Our staff has such heart and are willing to go above and beyond ! The students and community are amazing. We all want the best for our students and the district and are united in that mission!
• Our district is full of dedicated educators, supportive families, and students who truly want to succeed. We have many strengths—strong community pride, teachers who go above and beyond, and a genuine commitment to helping every child grow. At the same time, we face challenges that require clear leadership, consistent communication, and a unified vision across all schools. Staff want to feel supported with high-quality resources, manageable expectations, and decisions that prioritize student learning. With thoughtful guidance, collaboration, and a willingness to listen, our district has tremendous potential to move forward together.
• Great kids

*Edited only to remove names and to remove inappropriate language. 

• Please consider all voices when selecting a leader. You were encouraged to not hire ********* based on his previous reputation, but you did so anyway. Listen to the public!
• prefer they have a business background
• Look for a candidate that has the best interests of the people within the community: students, staff, and families.
• Be open to staff input.
• Open communication with the community and explain why the candidates would be hired and consider if there are pending lawsuits from previous employers. Use common sense and see candidate’s educational experiences and why the candidates are leaving the current district. I still do not understand why the last superintendent was hired after a general google search displayed many red flags.
• Please let it be anything different than the way they hired the last Superintendent. Please listen to other stakeholders and weigh all of the options in a transparent manner instead of sliding someone through the process under the radar and then hiring that person while disregarding warnings from every group that spoke out during the short process.
• I have been part of Spring Grove schools for my entire life, first as a student, then as an employee, and now as a parent of a SG student. When I think about when our district was best, it was when the superintendent had a vested interest in our community, their kids, grandchildren, etc were in the district and they were focused on making it the best district that it could be because it was for their children and our children..
• If a consultant tells you NOT to hire someone, please listen to them. Don't force the decision, leave the position open until the right candidate comes along.
• Listen to the people, you did a terrible job last time and ignored what the community and others said to you. You represent us and our children. Not your own special interest or your PACs interest
• That we are watching and we will hold them accountable for their decisions regarding the next superintendent
• Superintendent should be committed to focusing on education and not just a "yes man" for the school board. The system of checks and balances is needed for effective leadership.
• Our motto is learning without limits but we are routinely limiting our students through our lack of opportunities. This is a growing district and we need to grow to provide appropriate opportunities for our children. A quality superintendent provides support and leadership so that principals can, in turn provide the same for the staff of each building. Positive support from the top equals happier schools. And more quality learning takes place in happier schools.
• You need to find someone who is not a businessman and not someone who aligns with a particular "agenda" that one might have. Education is about the kids, the people who teach them and the community around them. What is best for the students in this community is what needs to be focused on.
• Maybe listen to the people that say there are red flags. Get your head out of your butt and do what is right for the students, not your reputation. The school board is a joke!
• To actually listen to community members when they speak up
• Please take advantage of having ******* in the interim role of Superintendent, and don't rush on the hiring of the successor. We want the best person for the position, not just a person to fill the role. Also, it's important up conduct background investigations on the candidates to ensure they have integrity and are a good role model for our children and community.
• Only consider candidates with a reliable reputation.
• Choose a person who also will be visible to the students.
• Being a good human being is more important that being the smartest person in the room.
• Our commitment is to the people of SGASD—our staff, students, and families—not to the bottom line.
• Hopefully he respects everyone and listen to the concerns of the teachers and kids and work together
• Neutral person. Not related to anyone in the district or friend. Do not hire someone that already has negative baggage.
• For starters, that they are not an alcoholic. Please don't dismiss any red flags from a potential candidate.
• Continue to see out input from those who work most closely with administration and students
• One word- transparency. They should know why.
• We do not want to be giving someone a "second chance" this time around. The last one did not work out well and there were many indicators pointing to that outcome being a good possibility before the hiring decision was made. Pay more attention to red flags!
• Hire better this time. You completely failed last time around. Do better for our kids and community.
• Please hire someone that will keep LGBTQ influences and gender identity issues out of our schools.
  • 1) Leadership style matters as much as experience 2) Understanding and respecting our community culture is essential 3) Vision and strategic focus are key 4) Balancing budgets with students' needs is a constant challenge 5) Collaboration and empowerment build strong systems 6) Communication and transparency will define success 7) Stability and commitment are invaluable.
• Don’t hire a drunk. Chose a moral professional.
• I want a person who wants the best for our district. I don't want our district to get caught up in the present political climate. Schools are NOT to be political and the school board should not micromanage. We should have a leader who has our employees backs and build up morale! We don't want to get caught up in all the political things bringing down other districts. Encourage leadership to support teachers and bring back discipline.
• It is the superintendent's job to serve the needs of the staff, students, and district, and act based on their experience and conscience, not bend to the political will of the school board. You are hiring them to lead, not to agree with you on everything.
• Dont settle. Find the best even if it takes longer than expected
• Getting community feedback, as well as staff and student input, is of great value. However, the ultimate decision should be the board's with helpful guidance of the organization hired to help. I would greatly like to see a unanimous approval vote, not a 5-4 vote.
• We need someone who puts the families, students and staff first. Do not treat us like a business.
• Choose wisely and listen to what your teachers have to say. They are the educators that work directly with our children. They know the needs of the community.
• It is important for the school board to be transparent throughout the hiring process and to include staff and community in the decision making process. As an educator, I would hope that my thoughts and input are considered. It is important to me that our next superintendent focuses on the overall well being of our students (mentally, emotionally, socially, and academically), not just finances or public approval. It is also important that the next superintendent is present in our schools, interacts with staff and students, and understands the demands that are being put on the staff on a daily basis.
• Take concerns seriously
• Leave politics out!! And hire someone who puts the students first.
• keep us conservative!
• Listen to your teachers. They are the ones in the trenches.
• It’s not about who the school board likes it’s about who the staff in the district and the people in the community want
• Honesty, Integrity, and a commitment building competent, dependable leaders
• Hire someone that is close to the community. Focus on internal candidates rather than outside firms.
• listen to your staff and community
• Please complete and listen to any background checks that are done on the candidate. If it's a split vote for approval, it is probably not the correct candidate.
• In choosing our next superintendent, you should hold them to the same level you would a person you would have care for your own personal children- morally, academically, and socially. If you don't think they can make those kind of choices, then don't put them in charge of hundreds of students.
• Allowing candidates with multiple red flags both morally and legally should never occur again. A five minute google search would have shown our former superintendent had a checkered history. That should never happen again.
• Listen to the community and STAFF regarding input in the selection process- be transparent
• Staff input should be considered and staff/admin concerns should be listened to.
• Please put politics and agendas aside and hire someone that is right for the students in the District to get the best educational experience. Hire someone that is a good role model, visible, approachable, and shows they care for the district.
• The school board needs to know that a lot of the info they are receiving is from an extremely loud but very small population. When making any decisions for our school, the board should be spending a lot more time in the buildings (working not stalking), talking to students, parents, and staff. And they should realize they are listening to only "like minded" people - when they speak to people with more info or other insight the board tends to talk over or talk down to that person. In other words the board needs to move passed their preconceived notions and ill-informed talking heads and instead experience what is actually happening within our schools before they can even think about making a good decision.
• Local is better. This person has to be a cheerleader for everything Spring Grove. This community values loyalty.
• We need someone who looks at the WHOLE child and how to serve them the best. That is hiring someone who listens to our TEACHERS.
• An internal hire has its benefits, but it is important to have outside perspectives come in for leadership.
• We want someone who is going to be dedicated to this community and the staff
• Transparency about all aspects of the hiring process and candidates is essential to build back trust.
• Hire someone that is like **********
• I would like a conservative leader that puts students first
• It's important to promote from within the district. Someone who is already experienced with how our district operates and can already be familiar with the students of SG.
• This person needs to be with the times wanting to modernize and give the best to the district. They need to be equal minded and not let politics and/or religious beliefs sway decisions and must not feel pressured to act or make decisions based off of groups of people who are more worried about looking good or making sure their agenda is being pushed or businesses or outside contractors promising money. Stature doesn't out way competency or compassion needed to perfumed this role successfully meaning this person doesn't need a specific level of experience they need to be the best person for the job no matter race gender politics or religious beliefs
• Make wise decisions for the well fare of the school district and not based on any political affiliations.
• Choose someone that values education and the community, not just a title, money, and/or power.
• You need to do better. It is your responsibility to choose a candidate that will best serve the students and their families. This is not about choosing a puppet that you can easily manipulate to carry out your agenda. A superintendent is supposed to lead by example and the last person that you chose is far from role model material. It makes me question your priorities and morals. In order to make informed decisions about instruction, you need to be in classrooms during the school day while students are there. Attending back to school functions is pointless and is more about your visibility than a genuine concern for our students and their educational experience.
• Hire, trust, allow him/her to lead.
• Experience with the school district & leadership roles are essential. Political views/topics/agenda have no place in the selection process.
• Please listen to the consultant and not ignore their suggestions. We need someone who is approachable and student-centered first and foremost.
• They should carefully consider the candidate's past job performance and personal choices to determine whether they can responsibly handle this position (re: former superintendent's history prior to hiring). The superintendent should also absolutely have years of classroom teaching experience.
• They have no criminal background
• Role model for staff and students
• Community "meet & greet" and input are important during the hiring process
• Finding someone local or that has attended SG would be preferable to someone with no ties to the community
• We have high expectations and cannot tolerate previous poor decision making.
• This decision is so very important, and each candidate should be carefully considered and vetted on multiple levels. It appears that this process is being conducted in a more transparent manner than the previous hiring, so the board should expect feedback from all stakeholders. We hope this hiring will have an immediate positive impact on students and staff, improving morale and re-establishing respect and integrity within this position.
• Find a qualified, quality candidate
• Please take your time, listen to others. We DO know what we are talking about and should be treated as knowledgeable professionals. We should work as a team and repair trusting relationships. Free to discuss the hard things with each other without fear of consequence.
• PLEASE consult the teachers in this district. Make the candidates visible and present in classrooms in advance before selecting one.
• Please choose someone who can be respected and deserve respect from teachers, staff and community members.
• Please, PLEASE make sure that the person who is offered the position is someone you would see leading us for the next 10-15 years (long term). Even if they aren’t planning on that long of a career at SG, that’s the type and quality of candidate that this district (and it’s families) deserves.
• This person represents ALL of us. It will be important to pick someone who represents our values and leads by example.
• Please take your time and pick a qualified person without rushing to get the job done.
• Please hire someone with previous school experience both in the classroom and administration role. Please look into the references they provide and leave no stone unturned.
• hiring someone that makes spring grove respectable and makes us proud to be rockets.
• Please hire a person who has a positive outlook and who assumes good intent of the staff and community members.
• We need someone outside the district that can bring fresh ideas. The district needs someone innovated, can lead the district through change, and make tough decisions that are best for the district as a whole.
• Please do not just hire someone "in house," simply because it is easy or you feel that you owe that individual loyalty. Please select the best candidate.
• Please please please involve all stakeholders and LISTEN to their feedback.
• Take yourself out of the hiring orocess and place yourself in what is truly best for the district. The last person was not good for the district and it was evident right from the beginning. Community and environment is built from within. We have quality teachers, administrators, and support staff here. Look out for them and they will be tremendous in their jobs.
• Listen to the professionals (current staff) who weigh in - the people in the buildings every day know what will and won't work in many cases.
• Run background checks
• Any past concerns of this person's work performance or character
• Open communication is key
• The community does not trust you right now. This search needs to be done with transparency and an abundance of due diligence. Now is not the time to make the easy decisions. If there are any internal candidates they should be held to the same scrutiny as external candidates. Please take your time and get this right.
• We need a superintendent with integrity.
• He Would Likely To Be Hired.
• There are many people within in the district that have committed themselves to the success of the district and a superintendent should be no different.
• Must solve the bulling and behavior issues
• When hiring a superintendent you need various groups to help in the process. (Teachers, support staff, administrators, and community) Listen to their feedback and concerns prior to hiring!!
• Teacher input is important!
• Don't pick the first one that applies research their background
• I would rather see the school board hire from within the district than spend thousands of dollars on a consultant to bring someone in who doesn’t know our community’s strengths and needs.
• We are hoping for transparency, and that you will take the thoughts of the community into consideration during this process. Dr. Albert will, we are hoping LEAD the search.
• The superintendent should be deeply invested in the district and committed to serving for the long term.
• No red flags. No prior indiscretions. No personal ties to school board members. We’ve had enough negative publicity. That regardless of age, our students hear these things. They are aware of what’s going on in our district. They are smart, because of the amazing staff at SG, who need support from a great leader. Don’t let them down. Keep them in your mind when interviewing every candidate.
• See his/her heart. Is she/he humble and full of integrity? Can he/she demonstrate courage and confidence in the face of adversity while remaining respectful?
• Don’t settle on any candidate, take time to get a good fit!
• I personally think it is time to give ***** a chance. He has proven himself by being a loyal SGASD employee, knows his way around the district, knows the employee's & shown he cares.
• Search and search. Do not settle. Our students deserve the best.
• Please take the staff's advice serious when hiring this time!
• The input from the staff and from community members should be taken into consideration. Teacher’s feedback should be valued.
• Please pay attention to giant red flags waving over any candidate’s head !!!!
• Be open, honest in agenda and open forum for the residents to meet candidates.
• It’s a good school district. The right person is probably already working within SGASD
• Involve the community in this hiring process to avoid a disaster like the last one!!!!
• Excellent character that students can emulate
• Continue to receive input from students (when possible), staff, and community . Hire a positive role model for our district; someone who cares about SGASD. Allow for the staff and residents to meet and question the final candidates.
• We need someone bold.
• Try to pick a conservative, district to liberal
• Investigate all of their backgrounds.
• I'd like to see a committee of all stake holders be a part of the entire process.
• Please be transparent and honest. Invite many voices into the conversation from community and schools. Listen to what they have to say and use it to hire someone that would be the best fit.
• I want the school board to be very thorough and transparent. The last super had a very poor history and a subpar reputation. They should have went back to the drawing board and brought in an interim when other
• options fell through. We wouldn't be in this position if they did their due diligence and informed the public of the process, etc. The person they are hiring is representing the district and should reflect good, sound character.
• You screwed up the last hire, try and do your due diligence and get it right this time.
• Pleases listen to the staff feedback, or make hasty decisions. Staff raised concerns about our last superintendent, and it ended terribly.
• I appreciate this form. Keep your political view out of the hiring process!! Work together, listen attentively to each other and keep politics OUT!
• Please keep politics out of our schools. Keep us out of the news. Keep good morals and morale at the forefront, building a strong community if next generation leaders who think, care, and are well-rounded.
• We value longevity in this role, not a 3 year retirement plan.
• Please listen to the teachers and the tax payers
• An experienced educator is what we need. Someone who cares about all stakeholders, but prioritizes OUR CHILDREN.
• I am not as worried about the number of years of past experience, but rather their impact in their past experiences. What do they identify as our district strengths and needs. How would they plan address our needs in a way that involves stakeholders and promotes equity of voice
• Hire within
• Thoroughly vet prospective candidates
• Why on earth did you hire someone who other districts had fired? Why give him a golden parachute to cover your idiocy? Hire expertise with a proven track record. We deserve good district leadership and I hope the board is capable of choosing excellence. So far they’ve tried to give our students a drunk who couldn’t stay out of the girls locker room. Even an inexperienced choice would have been better than a known problem. Seriously question board competency to do this right…
• Hire someone who already has relationships with staff and community. Someone who knows the history of district processes, policies, curriculum, and the whys/why nots which helps in making decisions for the future of the district.
• Be open and listen to community. Don’t just provide lip service
• Make sure he doesn't have a record
• The new superintendent needs to at least have ties to South Central PA, but preferrably have strong ties to spring Grove. We don't need someone that isn't familiar with the area or it's people
• That they should set a good example to our students.
• Background
• Integrity matters most. The current school board hired this bozo who had been "let go" from a previous district and had a checkered past. They should all lose their jobs over this mess. How do you let this guy lead leaders who are in charge of your children. They should all be ashamed of every action they have taken in regards to this issue. The new Sup has to be a people person. Someone who wants to get into the community and become a part of its culture.
• Look at all qualifications, past history and thorough knowledge of the school district.
• Don’t try to go cheap! You get what you pay for!
• Previous experience in improving education within a district. Impeccable reputation with no previous disciplinary issues.
• honesty in everthing
• No criminal backgrounds!!!
• I think the school board should hire the next superintendent and then get out of the way and not micromanage him/her.
• To be transparent and open about candidates and to be looking for someone to build connections within our school community and families.
• Dave Renaut is the exact leader we need in this district. Anyone who leads with Dave’s leadership style would be the ideal candidate for our district.
• The superintendent should advocate for students first and should not be a "yes man" for the board.
• Look deep into their past and do not ignore red flags.
• We need someone who is visible to the community and in the schools, someone who is committed to building a positive morale amidst the teaching staff, and someone who is academically minded in regard to the students of SGASD, not just placing importance on sports and facilities
• We need a superintendent that puts children and their academic needs above athletics and facilities
• Needs to be qualified; needs to have a clean past without skeletons in the closet; input from district staff, administration, and public needs to be considered and discussed in public meetings. The above question about the superintendent involvement is loaded because neither answer is ideal. The superintendent should be knowledgeable about issues and make him/herself aware of what is going on, and know who is making decisions, unlike the recent circumstances with a superintendent who was hired with a dicey background, was not transparent, and didn’t really seem to understand or care how things were done.
• They need to stop hiring within and listen to teachers and the community.
• Many board members treated professional staff like ignorant idiots. One board member boasted about his ability to hire because he owned so many businesses. At the end of the day, maybe it is time to listen to the ideas of the men and women on the ground and when we raise concerns, stop brushing them off. Take the political motivations away, and honestly do what you were elected to do, which is make decisions that are in the best interest of all students in Spring Grove.
• Should be a people person and put education first. Needs to be approachable. Already know about our district.
• They shouldn’t need to hire someone to select a candidate.
• I hope that whoever is chosen is ready to lead and collaborate. I hope that they will be actively involved and listen to teacher and support staff voices as they make decisions.
• This is an important task. Many districts investigate their finalists prior to hiring. A little investigating the last time could have saved a great deal of time and problems that arose due to poor hiring practices by the school board. You are executives as board members - you need to approach this effort with sincerity and purpose.
• Listen to the community comments. Vote for a new superintendent that the community approves of.
• Let’s be fair this time…and choose someone worthy of this position.
• Do not settle. Find the right candidate NOT the lesser of two evils. Listen to the teachers and what they want. Be open minded.
• Listen to the public’s opinion, this affects us.
• Transparency and community voice
• Be PICKY. Our students deserve the absolute best!
• Please take this seriously and stop focusing on just the political views. We should be focused on what we are doing for the community: building youth that will grow up and give back to our community through being a valuable citizen, hard worker, provide social and fiscal supports back into our community. Take the considerations of those who are already the legacy of our district, people like ********* A positive role model, protector, and incredible model for what Spring Grove is and should be. Stop focusing on whether or not we are representing some conservative agenda over race and societal views- start focusing on whether or not we are providing what is needed for our students to learn, grow and be effective community members.
• We need to find someone who is going to be committed to our community, teachers/staff, and students. I want someone who will be there in the building getting to know the staff and students. Someone who is welcoming, approachable, and remembers you. I have been teaching at SGE for around 10 years. ******* was great at remembering names and faces. He was at school events and in the buildings, and he listened to what was happening in the buildings (teacher concerns). He expected the best form the teachers but also made connections. As teachers that is our top priority is to make connections and build positive relationships with the students. We need a superintendent that will do the same.
• I would love if the district could find someone with similar qualities as **********. He seemed to be able to put himself in our shoes and truly listen to our concerns. We need someone who can understand the classroom side of things, but also think about the school as a business. It has to be a balance because we aren't like a normal business. We are in the people business and the needs of the students/teachers should be the main focus!
• Put all the things that don't matter aside and choose who is best for the job no matter ethnicity, race, gender, or religious beliefs.
• Find someone that is invested in our community and cares about the staff and students.
• We need to get this district back on track! Hire someone who will focus on supporting teachers and who will do what is right for the kids!
• PLEASE emulate *********. Never before have we felt so cared for, seen, trusted, and loved than we have when ****** was in charge. We were PROUD to be a rocket when ****** was here. Cannot say the same for the last few years. Please do not settle. If he is not ******, keep looking.
• We have had many challenges and it’s time to find some stability
• The importance of thoroughly checking backgrounds
• Pick someone with strong morals.
• Get to know *********** & ************ and then find someone like them.
• The superintendent is specifically educated and trained for running schools. You should seek the superintendent as a consultant and subject matter expert rather than imposing your personal opinions or political beliefs and assuming you represent a majority simply because your schedule/flexibility made it possible for you to attend the meetings required as school board members.
• Don’t think like a small town when choosing a new superintendent. Be open minded.
• Education had changed and is challenging for all; we need to build a team between board, administration,
• staff, and families to support those challenges and changes that impact the classroom daily. The right person will be able to challenge the “we have always done it this way” with “the students’ needs have change.”
• Do your research
• You may have to do the hard thing--swallow your pride and make the obvious decision to stabilize the district, even if you have to acknowledge the best candidate has been in the next office over the entire time.
• Hire **************** - he is a calming presence who has stuck with the district for 20 years. He may not be known by the community, but is well known and respected by staff and adminstrators.
• Listen to your staff and to your constituents and properly vet the next batch of candidates. A quick Google search showed that ********** was controversial AT BEST.
• Don't be afraid to let the district teachers have input this time
• They need to put politics aside. We want a superintendent who is kind and works for the student and staff and not just 9 board memebers
• You are hiring the leader of a 90 million dollar enterprise. This survey should ask about their need to develop people which is a critical responsibility for a Superintendent. In an organization of this size, there is no way that someone can micromanage effectively, but they also need to be able to manage and develop staff so they can effectively delegate.
• I seriously hope that you are each doing research on what best practices are for this role, and not just going based on the community's top-of-mind reaction to "Dr. DUI" as the students called him. The superintendent is the moral leader of the district, and a representative of the entire community. And they show who you are.
• The prior process is clearly fatally flawed. A 5-4 vote is not ok for the leader of the district, and the fact that
• *********** was willing to take the job was a giveaway for his unsuitability. The Board needs to be very clear about where it failed, and make sure that it adopts a process that ensures that we have a great candidate, worthy of Spring Grove's highest aspirations.
• Should be a quality person who has intent of sticking around for more than just a few years before they retire
• our classrooms are Bursting with little to no support from community
• Please look at the "whole" person when hiring. He/she needs to have the soft skills that this job requires, especially making connections/relationships with staff AND students.
• Be more aware of their background and if they have any kind of record on them, they should not be considered.
• They serve the interests of the whole community and all of the students in the district, not the government or any political affiliation.
• Don't get Bamboozled. Don't hire because of political/PAC pressure. Do not hire a questionable candidate. Stand strong in moral and ethical values that will be emulated by the Superintendent and observed by the students and community.
• We need someone who can put together and develop a highly skilled and effective administrative team to run the buildings. The superintendent cannot be involved in all of the small day to day decisions. Instead he/she needs to be able to look more globally on how to move the entire district forward. You need to build a strong team that can lead from all levels and roles.
• No ***********
• this is a large diverse school district from special education to AP, religions, cultures, multiple schools. The new superintendent must be a stand up person, good role model, knowledgeable about the diversity.
• Please DO NOT make a decision based on the perceived political ideology of a candidate. This cost us a good applicant in the last round. Also, do not just choose the cheapest option.
• I think there is a happy medium for superintendent involvement. They should be in the know of all issues while allowing other school leadership to make some autonomous decisions.
• They are hiring a leader of a proud community, and they need to stop engaging in party politics and focus on what is best for the students.
• Don’t settle for mediocre, Be certain they are a right fit and take time to make decisions. In the event candidates do not meet up with stakeholders opinions then continue the search to find the best fit. What may look good on paper ultimately needs to be socially fit as a leader and servant. Leadership at the top including school boards relationship with superintendent needs to keep the mission and vision in what’s best for kids.
• Our district would benefit from an individual who becomes part of our community and plans to stay here, rather than just wrap up his/her career. The individual leading our community's education should be education-minded with prior work experience in public education, not just a business person focused on finances. We need a superintendent who will support a balanced budget and modest tax increases to fund our children's education, as the cost of living increases.
• Making sure everyone feels listened to, getting input from teachers, parents, and vying for a choice that would benefit our district. If not, considering releasing them if necessary.
• We need leadership who will listen to family, faculty, and student needs and input.
• If the School Board ends up hiring someone from outside the District, I hope they are willing to take the time to learn our District over time before immediately making changes. Knowing what already works or doesn’t work for Spring Grove is incredibly important. *********is wonderful and the process would be an easy transition should he be interested in the role. The people within our community would like someone that is visible and approachable, and keeps staff morale high. This past year was not great, and morale has already improved with the acting Superintendent’s presence.
• someone without a criminal record this time would be nice. Someone who we don't have to provide housing for. (our tax money should be going towards the students in our district) Someone who is familiar with the York area. Someone the students can look up to and respect and not make our school look like a joke or the laughing stock. We want their diplomas to mean something, that they went to a good school and got a good education and is prepared to be functional adult.
• It's important to evaluate the candidate's experience and understand the district/area they are coming from. We want to seek a candidate that can offer us new ideas and help us grow, not one that we are teaching.
• Be transparent. Let everyone (teachers; staff; administrators; community members; coaches; etc.) interview and be a part of the decision. Learn from your past mistakes.
• Please choose a superintendent that puts people first, and builds relationships with teachers, staff, and students, so that they can create a family culture where the community will want to be involved and engaged in supporting the school and their decisions educationally and financially.
• No alcoholics or fired from a previous job
• The superintendent should have experience at all levels. The candidate should have years of experience teaching in the classroom and years of experience at the administrative level. The candidate should be an advocate for ALL students and families.
• Willing to listen to all ideas to improve education and willing to implement new ideas using technology
• We should have a superintendent whose values align with the board and the district population. The board should empower the superintendent to lead but the superintendent must be transparent with the board and the public. Too much behind the scenes actions and decisions breed conspiracy. Where legally permissible, you need to be open and honest on all discussions and decisions.
• Nothing
• Please hire a superintendent with knowledge of K-12 education. He or she needs to understand instructional challenges and curriculum for all levels. In addition, we need someone who wants to be involved in the SG community.
• Do better, you did an absolutely terrible job the last time.
• Please hire someone who knows what they are doing and have no red flags. Include district teachers and community in picking the final choice and listen to them. They know more about education than the school board does. Pick someone who appreciates Spring Grove and does not want to change it just fine tune it.
• Leave your politics at the door. The last superintendent hire was a joke, and an embarrassing and expensive one at that. You should feel very lucky to have the opportunity to right your last wrong.
• Relationships matter
• Please hire someone who cares about their teachers and who truly change the lives of the students everyday. Someone who values us as teachers but also knows we are human as well. We needs breaks as well, life can be overwhelming. We need someone who puts the students first.
• We work with children, we should not be viewed as a business. We are here for kids and future decisions should be focused on KIDS.
• Do your homework. Investigate. And do not push the candidate through for convenience.
• The school board should know that the outcome of this hire will determine the future of the district. The last hiring process did not reflect the level of diligence or discernment our community and staff deserved, and the effects have been significant. Many outstanding teachers have already left for other districts, and others are waiting to see whether this new leader will bring meaningful change before making their own decisions. Spring Grove was once a destination district—known for its excellence, collaboration, and pride—and we have the opportunity to restore that reputation. Please seek a superintendent who is personable, authentic, and people-centered—someone who values relationships, listens to staff, and leads with both heart and integrity.
• The school board needs to hire a superintendent who consistently puts students and teachers first. Last year’s challenges—marked by instability, poor communication, and questionable hiring decisions—have taken a toll on morale and trust. The community expects better. This time, it’s essential to select someone with a proven track record of effective leadership—a leader who values people, listens carefully, communicates openly, and leads with integrity and accountability. The right person can restore pride in the district and refocus everyone on what matters most: serving students and supporting those who teach them.
• Thank you for giving your time to serve on the school board. Please always keep what’s best for the students first. A lot of people in the community feel like the last superintendent was picked just to agree with the board, not to lead—and we’ve all seen how that turned out. This time, we need someone who will stand up for students and teachers, not politics. Strong schools and strong programs like music, sports, and academics make strong communities—places where people want to live and raise their kids.
• Find someone that has a stake in this community and is somehow directly connected to the school system.
• Trust, educational experts, and those who are in the classrooms and the district leadership offices to guide the process.
• Listen to the people working in the district, not your pockets.
• That life long employees should not be making a salary on the same basis as a new employee coming in. Years should count and matter. Morale is a huge thing.
• Try to pick someone who doesn't have a "checkered" past that will come back to bite us.
• Your decisions affect many people. Research, listen, and learn before making decisions.
• Politics have no place here.
• We need someone who values the curriculum.
• Not to let sport connections make an impact on hiring.
• that they will put students first when it comes to decision making
• The school board should not move forward with hiring a superintendent without a "more than majority" vote. A vote of 5/4 is not proof enough that the candidate is the correct choice for this district.
• Transparent process, staff involvement, open communication, listen to the constituents' concerns
• A year ago, we were in this same situation. Looking for a leader. DO BETTER. The red flags were there and yet ignored, and we have now watched as the district was drug through the mud because of those decisions. This district deserves to have someone in this seat that is going to pull up a chair, sit down next to students, talk to them, talk to us as staff, and actually understand this job/position. This is not the time to be political and slide in hidden agendas. This district is filled with some of THE BEST educators there are across all grade levels and we deserve a leader who mimics the same. ********is respected, appreciated, and adored...talk to him, understand what this district that you serve is about, watch HIM as he interacts with the community, staff, and students...because he has ALL the things we need to get us back in the spotlight, but this time for all of the right reasons!
• Would like a new Super from outside of the county and has experience with working with a diverse group of students/professional staff.
• Being a strong leader with a solid background.
• Personal and professional values are extremely important when considering a new candidate.
• Please listen to the teachers' advice.
• it is important that the new superintendent is committed to getting to know the staff and open to hearing all concerns and ideas to make it the best school to work for.
• The district would benefit from a fresh face (not a move up from within), and we should seek out someone with integrity and a strong track record of success throughout their career.
• Please think of all of the lives affected by this decision. I do not envy the gravity of this decision but when campaigning for your role, you took on the responsibility to represent ALL stakeholders in the district.
• Please think of the future of our district and repairing a very marred reputation throughout York County.
• Also, please understand that public school is NOT a business and should not be run as one. I understand fiscal responsibility but there is a cost to raising and educating the future of our community and as with everything else; "you get what you pay for."
• Be transparent. Look at what is best for our district and not your personal agendas. Make decisions that are beneficial to our teachers and our students. Allow those who know our district best to be a part of the interviewing and selection process. This includes: teachers, students, parents, community members, and administrators.
• All state holders should be involved all all steps in the interview process. You do not work directly in our schools. You have a more global prospective.
• Please choose someone that has been an educator recently and understands what it is like to be in the classroom and someone that would be a great role-model for everyone in the community!
• We need someone who will unify the buildings, understand things academically K-12 and be a visionary for our district bringing in fresh new ideas that unite the district.
• There should be all green flags with this one.. not here to serve the board's personal agenda, but to serve our school district - including tax payers, students and staff. Someone who is present - we rarely saw Bradley in the building. Someone who is involved - they should be visible at major/special events. Some one who understands the importance of culture and community and is willing to develop the pride that so many of us are anxious to rebuild for our district.
• I'm glad they are being more transparent this time, but they need to consider the concerns of ALL stakeholders, not just those that don't want to pay taxes.
• Find a long term solution
• We need someone who is the RIGHT decision, not your favorite SuperPAC decision. Put the politics away. We are all over it. Your community doesn't live in the extremes and we all want the same things ultimately, for the most part. We might just disagree on the how. Be adults and work together for the children.
• The board should know that promoting ************ to superintendent would provide much-needed stability and continuity. His long-standing commitment to the district, deep understanding of our operations, and clear grasp of what effective leadership requires make him uniquely positioned to guide us forward.
• I hope that our new superintendent is someone with an educational background who can understand and value the tremendous demands on staff and students and prioritizes student learning. I hope it is someone who thinks about what's best for students and not just how to save money. I also would like a superintendent who is able to address the growing populations in our schools and also someone who can improve the moral of teachers and staff.
• When hiring a new superintendent, it’s important to choose someone who is student-centered, visible in the schools, and committed to building strong relationships with staff, families, and the community. We need a leader who listens before making decisions, communicates clearly and consistently, and understands the daily realities teachers face. Stability, trust, and collaboration should be top priorities. The district would benefit from a superintendent who can provide a clear instructional vision, support teachers with meaningful resources, and make decisions focused on improving student learning. Selecting a leader who is approachable, transparent, and focused on long-term progress will help the entire district move forward.
• Someone that makes good decisions. And doesn't embarrass the school district with their decisions outside of school.