Dear Spring-Ford Families,
As I shared last month, the Board has been focused on selecting an Interim Superintendent with the experience, knowledge, and leadership skills to guide us into the 2025–2026 school year. After several weeks of interviews with a strong pool of highly qualified candidates, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Jim Scanlon will join the Spring-Ford family in August as Interim Superintendent.
Dr. Scanlon is an experienced educational leader who feels privileged to have served as a public school superintendent for 22 years. He was Superintendent in the West Chester Area School District, Chester County, for 12 years, before retiring in 2021. Prior to that he was Superintendent in the Brandywine School District in Wilmington, Delaware for three years, and in the Quakertown Community School District for seven years. Dr. Scanlon most recently held the role of Interim Superintendent in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District from August 2025 to May 2025. During that time, he led the district through the successful completion of a 10-year capital plan, the development of a district cell phone policy, the implementation of a new elementary reading curriculum, and through the negotiation of four labor agreements. He is currently serving as Acting Curriculum Director in the district, as well as supporting the transition of the district's new superintendent. As well, he leads the Pennsylvania cohort of the American Association of School Administrator’s national superintendent’s certification program. His work has extended to mentoring superintendents and supporting school boards and superintendents in developing positive working relationships and public protocols.
Dr. Scanlon is known as a collaborative leader who believes students must be at the center of all decision-making, and that honest and proactive communication is integral to a school district’s success. He is proud to have led numerous initiatives that have resulted in significant increases in student achievement, as well as enhanced and expanded student programming. He believes that staff, parent, student, and community voice and involvement are essential.
Dr. Scanlon lives with his wife and their two teenaged sons in West Chester. He believes his experience as a parent also gives him a valuable perspective as an educator.
The Board will launch a comprehensive and inclusive search for a permanent Superintendent, beginning this summer. This process will include opportunities for community input, and we look forward to hearing your perspectives as we work together to shape the future of Spring-Ford.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the Spring-Ford Area School District.
Sincerely,
Erica Hermans, President, Spring-Ford Area School District Board of School Directors