Oley Valley school officials considering controversial educator for superintendent

Apr. 19—Oley Valley School District residents are concerned about the school board floating controversial educator Abe Lucabaugh as a candidate for interim superintendent, following the resignation of Dr. Gina Finnerty as superintendent.

At a meeting Wednesday, some residents said they were worried about the district's consideration of Lucabaugh — who served as superintendent of the Central Bucks School District before resigning in November with a $700,000-plus severance package — after emails between school board members and superintendent candidates circulated among the community.

"His (Lucabaugh's) record does not show that he is supportive or inclusive of all students, in fact it shows the opposite," said resident Eileen Stinley, "I don't think we can afford, as taxpayers, a golden parachute like his previous one."

Lucabaugh did not respond to a request for comment.

A few residents spoke in support of the board, claiming those leveling criticism supported losing board candidates and are aiming to stir controversy and deepen political divides.

"We have a group of people stirring up the community on leaked confidential information pertaining to an interim superintendent search," said resident Cynthia Smith. "Is it legal to receive or know the candidates who apply to a position at this school prematurely? Did our right to know officer just open our district up for legal action by allowing that to happen?"

School board member Aaron Keller said in a statement that the district is interviewing candidates suggested by the Berks County Intermediate Unit, which has partnered with Oley to assist in the superintendent hiring process.

"I'd like to thank the community for all the emails and feedback on this issue," Keller said. "Quite honestly, none of that should have been out in the public anyway."

Lucabaugh supported the agenda of a formerly GOP majority Central Bucks School Board, including policies restricting library materials, partisan classroom displays and pride flags, according to the Bucks County Courier Times.

He resigned amid a public outcry over the severance deal exceeding $712,000.

Approving the severance package was one of the last actions taken by Central Bucks' outgoing Republican majority board before a newly elected Democratic majority took over, the Courier Times reported.

While many in Lucabaugh's former district heavily criticized the deal at a meeting approving the severance, some residents spoke in favor of Lucabaugh, calling him a man of character and a compassionate educator, who fought for the students despite threats and harassment, according to the Courier Times.

During Lucabaugh's time with Central Bucks, that district also racked up $1.75 million in legal fees for an investigation into alleged anti-LGBTQ discrimination, of which the district's liability insurance only covered $250,000, noted the Courier Times.

Lucabaugh left the district months after being approved for a five-year contract with a $90,000 raise that increased his salary to $315,000, the Courier Times reported.

Lucabaugh's requested daily pay is $1,100 to $1,200 to serve as interim superintendent at Oley, as revealed in an April 5 email to the school board from Dr. Jill Hackman, BCIU executive director.

In another email dated April 9, board member Candice Corle says she wanted to speak with Lucabaugh about serving as interim superintendent and supporting the district through a transition period and potentially further, following the resignation of Finnerty.

Finnerty announced her resignation late in March, after being hired as director of human resources by the Quakertown School District in Bucks County.

Finnerty's salary was listed at $152,000 at the time of her full appointment as superintendent in June 2023, according to school board meeting minutes.

Lucabaugh's requested daily fee was one of several criticisms leveled by resident Rachel Winterstine, who has criticized Corle and other members of the school board for their treatment of Finnerty and connection to Moms for Liberty, a conservative advocacy group.

"My deepest concerns with all this boils down to the fact that you would even consider interviewing him (Lucabaugh)," Winterstine said. "It's fiscally irresponsible considering he needs $1,100 to $1,200 per day, and his track record with extensive legal fees while he was with the Central Bucks School District."

Winterstine noted that she filed a right-to-know request to access the school board's emails.

Lucabaugh was one of two candidates who indicated an interest in the position, Hackman said in the emails.

The other candidate is Bill McKay, who spent decades in teaching and administrative roles with the Wilson and Twin Valley school districts.

McKay took on the role of Gov. Mifflin School District superintendent in 2020, serving there until July, when he accepted his current position of director of project development for pre-college and summer programs at Albright College.

McKay's requested daily pay rate is listed as $1,100, according to an email from Hackman to Oley Valley board members.

Hackman noted in the emails that the BCIU had initially contacted four candidates about the Oley superintendent position, and two declined.

The board took no action on hiring an interim superintendent at the meeting Wednesday.

On Wednesday Finnerty's resignation was approved, effective May 27.