Five more years for DV Superintendent John Bell

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — The Delaware Valley school board renewed Superintendent John Bell’s contract for another five years.

He’d originally been contracted for three years. At their October meeting, board members had soaring praise for Bell's work.

“Of the final pool of candidates, I don’t think anyone could have done a better job than John Bell," said board vice-president Zachary Pearce, alluding to the board's selection of Bell, DV's fourth superintendent in 40 years. "He’s doing a phenomenal job.”

Pearce said that, according to Pennsylvania law, contracts must be three to five years long, and that, within one year of the end of contract, the board may opt to extend it.

The new contact will run from 2015 until 2020, with a starting annual salary of $170,000, with built-in 2.75 percent increases for the first three years and 2.5 percent each year from then on.

Pearce said the average increase amounts to $3,000 per year. As part of the agreement, Pearce said Bell will pay 10 percent of his health care cost as a giveback to the district, the highest percentage to be paid by any DV employee.

Bell was found through a national search process. According to the American Association of School Administrators, superintendents stay in their position for an average of seven years in rural and suburban districts nationwide. Pearce said the number is much less in Pennsylvania, with superintendents serving an average of three years.

The average tenure served by DV superintendents in the past 40 years is 10 years — seven years more than the Pennsylvania average. "I think this gives an idea of what stability means," Pearce said.

Pearce talked about how well Bell responds in times of crisis — to hurricane Sandy and its aftermath ("the curveball he was thrown to start with"); the Sandy Hook School massacre; and, most recently, the aftermath of the state trooper shooting in Blooming Grove — and the security protocols he put in place.

“He’s been the person who exceeds what’s expected in situations,” Pearce concluded.

Board President Pamela Lutfy also expressed her gratitude to Bell.

“I appreciate the calmness you’ve brought to this district,” she said. "I really appreciate your sense of humor as well."

"It’s the hardest job in the community,” board member John Wroblewski added. “I appreciate you're doing a spectacular job, so you deserve the increase."

Another board member, Susan Schor said, “Thank you for everything you do. I really appreciate taking your time with all of us. You’re doing a great job, thank you.”

Board member Chuck Pike told Bell, to general applause: “I know you have other options available to you. I really appreciate it — thank you!"