Bellefonte Area School District Begins Superintendent Search

BELLEFONTE — The search for Bellefonte Area School District’s new superintendent is underway and the district is looking for community input in the pursuit.

The community-input survey can be found at basd.net and will be accessible through Jan. 5.

“We want to learn your perceptions of BASD’s strengths and challenges, and the superintendent leadership characteristics you believe are important,” the district wrote in an update on its website. “This information will be integrated into the ‘Bellefonte Area School District and Superintendent Profile,’ which the consultants will use to recruit and advertise for the superintendent position and to identify interview questions customized to our district.”

BASD will be seeking a new leader after current superintendent Tammie Burnaford informed the board she would not seek a contract extension when her current one expires on June 30.

The district explained in its superintendent search update that confidentiality of the candidates is necessary to attract an array of contenders.

“Only the Board of Directors and the search consultants will be privy to this information. The way in which we will engage our community is through the use of survey tools,” according to the district’s website.

The BASD Board of Directors approved at its Nov. 2 meeting a contract with Di Rocco Education Consulting LLC: Keystone Superintendent Search Service to conduct confidential searches. The $19,000 contract includes reimbursement for advertising, printing, travel and lodging when necessary.

All updates on the search process will be available on the district’s website.

Those with difficulty completing the survey online can contact the school district office at (814) 355-4814, ext. 3005, or email lelder@basd.net to request a copy. Residents can also visit Bellefonte’s district office.