Freeholders Propose One Leader for Two Burlington County Schools

In an effort to save money and streamline efficiency, Burlington County Freeholders are recommending that that county's Special Services School District and the Burlington County Institute of Technology share one superintendent. 

Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio this week called on the two districts to appoint Donald P. Lucas, superintendent of the special-services district, to fill the role. He asked Paula Lee, president of the special-services district board, and John Ferry, president of the BCIT board, to seek approvals for the move from their respective boards. 

“This is the first step toward consolidating the appropriate administrative functions at the two schools – a move that will pave the way (to) tax dollar savings, through the sharing of assets and resources, and by eliminating duplication of efforts,” Garganio said in a release.

Garganio was joined in announcing the proposal by Freeholder Chris Brown, who serves as freeholder-liaison to the schools, as well as Lucas, Lee and Ferry. Both board presidents said they would seek resolutions from their respective boards.

The “timing for this move is right,” Garganio said, because BCIT Superintendent Dolores Szymanski will retire at the end of June. Garganio commended Lee and Ferry for “helping us to pursue this initiative,” and said Lucas had agreed to accept the position if the move is approved by the respective boards. 

 “We believe that Dr. Lucas is amply qualified to oversee this shared services initiative and we appreciate his willingness to lead the County through the process,” said Garganio. “He is also sensitive to the respective missions and student populations at each school.”

Brown said Burlington would not be the first county to undertake this type of arrangement, and noted that nearby Gloucester County had completed a successful merger of its two districts. 

“The end result was a lower cost per pupil,” said Brown. “And this was accomplished without diminishing in any way the quality of education, programs or services.

“Here in Burlington County we have two solid school districts with a record of providing outstanding educational opportunities to our children,” he added. “I’m confident that record will remain fully intact, and we’ll be gaining a better deal for the taxpayer.” 

Lucas has been superintendent of the Special Services School District since 2001. His career in education spans 40 years; he has been a superintendent for 23 years.

“I appreciate the challenge and the vote of confidence,” Lucas said in a statement. “My goal will be to gradually integrate the administrative functions and to ensure a comfort level for staff, parents and students while doing so.” 

Both school boards currently remain intact, although Lucas said he would like one or two members from each to serve on both boards, “to become familiar with each district’s operation, mission and program.”

Lucas said that if he's appointed superintendent of both districts, he would oversee a review of overlapping internal organizational functions, including administration and business-office operations, such as transportation, food service, custodial and maintenance, purchasing, service contracts, technology. He also said the merged district would expand use of the county's Educational Services Unit, which assists all local school districts in shared-services opportunities.