Central Bucks' substitute superintendent sent a letter to the Centennial School Board about a comment made about student well-being.
Dino Ciliberti, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Jun 13, 2025 at 8:18 am ET
WARMINSTER, PA — The interim leader of the Central Bucks School District sent a letter questioning the characterization of its district by Centennial's school board president.
During school board and community meetings regarding thehiring of former Central Bucks Schools Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh, Centennial School Board President Mary Alice Brancato stated that, "We are not Central Bucks. We care about our kids here."
Charles Malone, substitute superintendent of the Central Bucks School District, and the school board addressed the comment in a June 5th letter that was read during the Centennial School Board's worksession meeting on Tuesday.
"We write to acknowledge the challenges you have recently faced as Centennial transitions to new leadership," Malone wrote. "As a district familiar with a large degree of public and media scrutiny, we share our empathy and wish you resolve during this time. As Centennial continues to manage this transition, we respectfully ask the board to be mindful of how Central Bucks is characterized publicly and in media responses."
Malone said he and the Central Bucks School Board were "particularly concerned and disappointed about the recent comment made to Action News 6 by Brancato.
Find out what's happening in Warminsterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"While we understand the desire to emphasize Centennial's focus on students, the phrasing of this remark implies Central Bucks does not prioritize student well-being. Comments such as these not only misrepresent CB’s values —and those of all school districts — but also undermine our shared commitment to the success and strength of public education. We are all in this great endeavor together."
Brancato backed her statement to Patch on Thursday.
"This is not a big deal to be honest," Brancato said. "It had nothing to do with them. I didn't think they were bad. That letter was read to intentionally inflict harm. It's an election year."
Brancato said she reached out to Malone immediately and also talked to several Central Bucks school board members.
She also said that Centennial school board members had the letter and did not comment or ask any questions before the letter was read at the meeting on Tuesday.
"The letter was read as a surprise," she said. "I answered at the meeting. What I said was a true statement. Everybody on the school board I assume cares about kids."
Other school officials did not return requests for comment from Patch on Thursday.
Lucabaugh is replacing Centennial School Superintendent Dana T. Bedden, whose five-year contract expires at the end of June.
Concerned Citizens of the Centennial School District "strongly opposed" the hiring of Lucabaugh, stating he has a "troubling and costly record" of irresponsibility, discrimination, censorship, and litigation during his tenure leading the Central Bucks School District.
The Central Bucks School Board reached a more than $700,000 severance agreement with Lucabaugh that was approved by the outgoing school board in November 2023.
"Going forward, we respectfully request that Centennial’s board members and administrative leadership maintain a neutral and collegial tone when referencing Central Bucks in public and media statements," Malone said. "We make this request in the spirit of mutual respect and shared purpose as volunteers devoted to public education and student success and happiness.
The letter is signed by Malone and the Central Bucks School Board: President Susan Gibson, Vice President Heather Reynolds, and board members Rob Dugger, Dana Foley, Rick Haring, Daniel Kimicata, Karen Smith, and Jenine Zdanowicz.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.