As the York Suburban School Board of Directors announced on Monday, April 23, their efforts during the past five-month search to find the next superintendent of schools for the York Suburban School District (YSSD) ended successfully with the unanimous approval of Dr. Timothy Williams to that position. If you followed along with the monthly updates, you know the intense interview process the board used to screen and interview the applicants for this top leadership position. The board received 30 applicants from around the country and up and down the East Coast for the position, conducted three rounds of interviews, and completed a thorough vetting of its top candidate, including a rigorous and extensive background and reference check.

Dr. Williams is an experienced educator and school leader with over 30 years in public school education and is currently serving as superintendent in the Westmont Hilltop School District in Johnstown, PA. Dr. Williams began his career as a middle school English and social studies teacher, serving during his time as a team leader and two years as union president.  After serving ten years in the classroom, Dr. Williams served as a K-12 technology coordinator at Penn Manor School District. Dr. Williams subsequently moved into Manheim Township School District where he served over 15 years in a number of roles including director of information technology, director of instruction, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum, instruction and technology and assistant to the superintendent. Dr. Williams will be bringing his many professional talents,  skills, and experiences to his new role here at York Suburban.

Dr. Williams is set to begin his new duties at York Suburban on July 1, 2018, but first, he will need to meet his responsibilities and contractual obligations to the Westmont Hilltop School District for the remainder of the current school year (June 30).  Until June 30, I will continue to honor my commitment to the York Suburban School District to oversee the day-to-day responsibilities as the Acting Superintendent. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires an unbroken transition of legal authority for public schools, and I am prepared to hand-off that authority as prescribed by PA School Code.

During the next eight weeks as the district continues to fully make the transition from my temporary and substitute status to the permanent leadership under Dr. Williams, rest assured that Dr. Williams and the school board are diligently working on start-up and strategic plans for the year ahead.  Dr. Williams has already begun the development of his entry plan, outlining the priorities he will establish, in concert with the board and administrative team. Dr. Williams is reviewing the detailed feedback reports prepared by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) during their 16 focus group sessions.  The community members, parents, staff, students, and administrators who participated in those sessions provided a listing of key issues and obstacles that face the York Suburban School District and provide a framework for setting goals and priorities for YSSD in the years ahead. You can also look forward to Dr. Williams gathering his own data by connecting with our stakeholders once he arrives on-site.  The school board also used this focus group feedback to uncover the qualities and skills needed by our next superintendent. Both the board and Dr. Williams are starting this new York Suburban era with a clear vision of expectations from our community because so many individuals shared their hopes and expectations during the CCIU-lead search process.

As the school year comes to a close and our students and staff direct their attention to their summer list of things to do, preparations for the 2018-2019 school year will shift into high gear. I’ve always found it amazing how much is accomplished by administrators, summer school staff, custodians, and buildings and grounds workers during the summer break.  I have full confidence that the efforts of all staff members this summer will yield another seamless summer that leads to another fantastic school year that starts on August 23 for our students. The board and Dr. Williams will be working meticulously so a solid foundation is in place when students and staff return for the 2018-2019 school year.  Dr. Williams is eager to bring his dynamic and innovative leadership skills to this high-performing district and work collaboratively with the York Suburban community to educate, challenge, and prepare students to shape the future.

Dr. Larry R. Redding, Acting Superintendent