Search for new Spring Cove school superintendent continues
District’s business manager serving as acting superintendent
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Members of the Spring Cove School Board are still searching for a superintendent as the beginning of the school year quickly approaches.
After former Superintendent Betsy Baker retired on June 30, the position has been left vacant for 51 days as of Thursday afternoon. Business manager Steven Foor is currently the district's acting superintendent.
"We're continuing the process like any job posting," he said. "It's moving forward, and we're progressing with that search."
In the meantime, the board voted 6 to 3 in separate votes on Aug. 3 to approve the creation of a temporary director of education position and to approve former high school Principal Stephanie Thompson to fill the role.
The purpose of the position is to ensure a seamless transition into the school year for faculty, staff and students, Thompson said, adding that there are many administrative tasks to complete with the start of the school year.
As of Aug. 3, Thompson's per diem rate is $426.56 for five days a week until Oct. 31, Foor said.
He said this rate was already established in their Act 93 agreement, so there wasn't an increase or a decrease.
Some tasks assigned to the director of education include ensuring new teachers are trained and in compliance with the mandates, overseeing the 2026-27 math curriculum, district assessments and data analytics and monitoring data information with the state.
"We don't want there to be any gaps or anything that falls through the cracks administratively," Thompson said. "We're filling those gaps with that position."
"We're here to support the students and staff as much as we can," Foor said.
Foor's approved salary as business manager for the 2025-26 school year was $98,345, and he is being compensated at a weekly rate of $450 for three days of service per week.
The superintendent search has cost the district $9,900 for a consultant fee, an additional $927.57 in associated costs, a Pennsylvania School Board Association advertising cost of $525 and legal fees of $717.50. Superintendent search fees were taken from the district's general fund balance.
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.