ROARING SPRING — Following the monthslong search for a new superintendent, Spring Cove School District is reopening the application and advertising process for the position.

Board President Amy Acker-Knisely said during the committee of the whole meeting that they are continuing the search for qualified candidates as current Superintendent Betsy Baker approaches her retirement date at the end of the month.

If the district fails to find a superintendent after Baker’s departure, Acker-Knisely said it can hire an acting superintendent while the board continues the search.

She remains hopeful that the board will present a candidate — either permanent or temporary — by July 1.

Starting in January, the board began its search for a superintendent with assistance from the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools. Executive Director Edward J. Albert helped the board with community surveys, applications and interviews.

During public comment, former Spring Cove Middle School principal Chuck Kensinger said the board is making one of the most important decisions for the next 10 years.

“If you don’t have the right candidate, don’t hire,” he said. “Get the right candidate.”

Kensinger recalled Baker’s run as superintendent and praised her work ethic while thanking her for her service to the district.

“I said to people, ‘No one will ever work any harder than Dr. Baker.’ I firmly believed that at the time,” he said. “I think I was right back then.”

In other news, the board had little to no discussion about the tax rate for the 2026-27 school year, as they are set to approve a 2% tax increase at 7 p.m. June 22.

According to Baker, 1% of the tax increase will go toward the long-term building project fund for future facility consolidation plans, while the remaining 1% go toward the general fund balance to offset their more than $2 million deficit.

Business manager Steven Foor said expenses are increasing, but they haven’t seen any increases from state funding yet. The budget has been on display for 30 days, which is still available at the district office and on the district’s website.

The district is also looking to enter a new athletic training services agreement after Drayer Physical Therapy decided not to provide services to the district.

Baker said they reached out to other companies, including CrossRoads Physical Therapy, which was the only company to provide a proposal.

While Baker said the proposal was significantly more than what the district has paid in the past, she said it’s more cost-effective than hiring in-house and providing benefits.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.