CHAMBERSBURG — Dr. Dion E. Betts has been hired by the local school board as Chambersburg Area School District’s next superintendent. His new five-year contract runs from July 1 this year through June 30, 2024.
Dr. Betts was selected from a pool of over thirty qualified candidates following a national search for a replacement for Dr. Joseph Padasak, who is retiring June 30.
The school board was assisted in the search and hiring selection by Dr. Dwight Pfennig and Dr. Jack McCulley of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, a leading education leadership recruitment firm.
The selection process used a leadership profile that was developed from input from a variety of employee and constituent groups.
Presently, Dr. Betts is an Assistant Superintendent with the School District of Philadelphia, where he is responsible for the education of well over 23,000 students. He has served in this capacity since 2013.
Prior to his tenure with the School District of Philadelphia, he was the Superintendent of Boyertown Area School District. Before Boyertown, Dr. Betts was the Assistant to the Superintendent for Instructional Support, where he supervised pupil services and special education, included instruction support, gifted education, and alternative education.
Dr. Betts has a Doctorate of Education in School Administration, a Master’s of the Arts in Psychology and Music, and a Master’s of the Sciences in Education with a focus on special education.
The board said in a press release following the vote to hire Dr. Betts on Tuesday that board members were pleased with the candidate search and hiring process.
“Dr. Betts’ diverse educational background and strong leadership skills will enable the District to move forward and improve the education that the District provides to all students in the Chambersburg community, the press release said.
Dr. Betts will replace Dr. Joseph Padask, who first came to the district as its superintendent in 2006. Is retiring at the end of is current contract June 30.
Although Betts superintendent contract does not begin until July 1, he will actually begin his employment with the district on March 1, becoming the District’s Chief Educational Officer prior to assuming the responsibilities of Superintendent.
The board’s news release said a formal meet and greet will be scheduled at a date in the near future to give employees and community members the opportunity to meet and interact with Dr. Betts.
