Pennridge School District appoints a new Superintendent- updated

Bucks County Intermediate Unit logo using  the name with stick figures representing inclusiveness, diversity, and ages birth through adults.Bucks County Intermediate Unit

705 N. Shady Retreat Rd.

Doylestown PA 18901

 

Media Contacts:

Robyn Gross

Educational Marketing Lead

215-348-2940 Ext. 1121

Cell: 610-217-2415

RGross@BucksIU.org 

 

David Thomas
Communications & PR Coordinator

215-257-5011
Cell: 215-800-8397

DThomas@Pennridge.org

 

For Immediate Release:                   

 Pennridge School District Appoints
 Mr. Angelo Berrios Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Angelo Berrios sitting at a desk.UPDATED August 31, 2023 - Doylestown PA:  The Pennridge School District’s Board of School Directors unanimously approved an employment agreement with Mr. Angelo Berrios to serve as their next Superintendent of Schools at its board meeting Monday, August 28, 2023.

About Mr. Angelo Berrios

Mr. Berrios proudly serves as the Principal of Abington Senior High School, a role he has held since 2013. He has successfully co-led various district-level initiatives focused on new construction, career pathways, and scheduling.

Prior to becoming Principal, he was an Assistant Principal and Social Studies teacher in Abington. Throughout his tenure in Abington,
Mr. Berrios has facilitated collaboration and unity among stakeholders, resulting in a student-centered environment rooted in academic excellence.

As he looks ahead to the opportunity to serve the Pennridge School District, Mr. Berrios remains resolute in his commitment to success. His vision for the future is one where educational excellence and community partnership converge seamlessly, fostering an environment where all stakeholders thrive.

Before entering the field of education, Mr. Angelo Berrios served in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 1995 as an Infantryman/Machine Gunner (0331). He completed two deployments with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (22 MEUSOC), participating in operations Provide Promise, Deny Flight, and Sharp Guard. While serving our nation, Mr. Angelo Berrios learned to embody the core values of the Marine Corps- honor, courage, and commitment. His foundation in the United States Marine Corps cultivated essential qualities of discipline, teamwork, and leadership, shaping his subsequent roles in education and community engagement.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Mr. Berrios earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Social Studies Education from the Pennsylvania State University at University Park and later achieved a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University. He is enrolled in the doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Delaware Valley University. Mr. Berrios, a resident of Bedminster, is a proud Pennridge community member.

Statement from Mr. Angelo Berrios

Upon being offered the position of Superintendent, Mr. Berrios shared, “I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to join the Pennridge School District family. I plan to work collaboratively with our dedicated educators, staff, parents, and community members to ensure that every student receives an exceptional education that prepares them for a successful future. I believe, together, we will foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence, empowering our students to excel and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Education is the cornerstone of our society. As such, I aspire to build upon the Pennridge School District’s successes and forge a path toward even more remarkable achievements.” 

 

Statement from Mr. David Reiss, Board President

Mr. David Reiss, President of the Pennridge School District’s Board of School Directors, stated, “The entire Board is thrilled to welcome Mr. Berrios to the Pennridge family. He brings with him a track-record of success, a dedication to students and staff, and a bright vision for the future. As we look to this new school year and beyond, the Board knows that we have found in Mr. Berrios an excellent leader for our community.”

Community Forum

The Pennridge School District’s Board of School Directors invites all community members to attend a Community Forum with Mr. Angelo Berrios on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Pennridge High School, 1228 N. 5th St., Perkasie, PA 18944.

To allow maximum community participation, the event will be live-streamed, recorded, and made available online. The link to view the event will be available through the district.

In addition to introductory remarks from Mr. Berrios, the Community Forum will include a Question-and-Answer period facilitated by Dr. Mark Hoffman, Executive Director of the Bucks IU. The Pennridge Board of School Directors welcomes input from district stakeholders on which themes should be covered in the questions presented to Mr. Berrios. Community members are invited to submit up to two (2) questions for consideration through the following survey:  https://bciu.formstack.com/forms/pennridgecommunityforum.

Due to the number of anticipated questions, not every question will be asked during the Community Forum. Instead, submitted questions will be organized by theme. Similar questions will be consolidated by these common themes to allow for Mr. Berrios to address the maximum number of topics during this Community Forum. The format for the evening does not provide an opportunity for questions or comments from the audience during the forum itself. Instead, all questions must be submitted in advance using the link above. Mr. Berrios will receive a copy of all submitted questions. The Board has chosen this format to ensure that the maximum number of questions can be asked by the moderator in the time allotted. Questions may be submitted up until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Background on the Superintendent Search Process

The Board began the search process in July 2023, engaging with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) to serve as its search consultant. The Bucks IU, on behalf of the Board, conducted a community survey from July 7, 2023 through July 16, 2023 to identify the community’s opinions and priorities. Nearly 700 parents, guardians, taxpayers, students, staff, and other community members responded to the survey, offering feedback on the ideal characteristics and attributes of the future superintendent. The survey also captured what the community believes to be the district’s priorities for the immediate and long-term future. The survey results were shared with the community on the district website and through district communication channels.

As the search consultant, the Bucks IU facilitated a comprehensive search process, actively recruiting qualified candidates and advertising the position in local, regional, state, and national publications. The position was advertised from July 7, 2023 through July 23, 2023. Twenty candidates applied for the position. The Board thoroughly reviewed all twenty applications and selected eleven applicants to move forward to a first round of interviews. These eleven candidates hailed from four states. Following these initial interviews, the Board invited six applicants back for a second, increasingly rigorous round of interviews. In addition to answering questions, candidates completed writing exercises and prepared presentations relevant to district priorities. The Board invited three applicants to return for a third round of interviews, resulting in unanimous agreement among all nine school directors to offer Mr. Angelo Berrios the position of Superintendent of Schools.

 

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ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Bucks IU):

Celebrating 50 years of service! The Bucks IU supports improvements and advancements in student learning by providing exceptional educational programs, innovative professional development, and advanced business/technology services. We serve children ages birth to adult, public and private schools along with their staff and administrators, and the community of Bucks County. The Bucks IU is also the liaison between local schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information, go to www.BucksIU.org or
call 215-348-2940.