Education

Applications for Bensalem School District’s Next Superintendent Close July 26

Here’s what to know and how to apply by the deadline.

The application window for Bensalem Township School District’s new superintendent is nearing an end, with applications for the position closing in less than a week.

The district’s search began April 14, 2026, after former superintendent Samuel Lee resigned amid financial challenges in the form of a $16 million budget deficit.

In fall 2025, Bensalem officials realized they had overspent on charter schools and special education the previous school year, by nearly $4 million. Furthermore, the district underbudgeted for the upcoming year.

Following Lee’s resignation, Bensalem was able to trim the budget shortfall to $2 million by cutting 31 school positions.

Recent efforts have been made to further stabilize the school district’s finances. The Bensalem school board raised property taxes by 4.2% and used $1.9 million from the district’s fund balance on June 30 to combat the deficit.

The implementation of a Residency Task Force aims to safeguard district resources and weed out ineligible student enrollments.

The hunt for a new superintendent

Bucks County Intermediate Unit is spearheading the search for the new superintendent.

According to a community survey conducted by Bucks IU, residents are looking for a new superintendent that is student-centered, has a clear educational vision and prioritizes school safety.

The Bensalem school board is searching for a candidate that is an “exceptional educational leader.”

“The successful candidate will lead with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and the community,” the board said in a statement.

The right qualifications

Bensalem wants its next superintendent to demonstrate experience in educational leadership, financial stewardship, school safety, instructional excellence and organizational leadership.

The full list of qualifications for the position are:

PA letter of eligibility
Strong academic credentials, with a preference for candidates with doctorate degrees
K-12 experience as a teacher, school leader, or central office administrator with superintendent and/or assistant superintendent experience
Evidence of strong leadership in academics, curricula and instruction, school district budgeting, financial management and school safety

How to apply

Those considering applying for the open superintendent position in Bensalem should send applications to BensalemSearch(at)BucksIU.org by July 26, 2026.

Applicants should include the following to be considered for the role:

Letter of interest
Curriculum vitae or maximum three-page resume
Valid PA letter of eligibility
Three letters of recommendation
Educational transcripts confirming degree completion
Recent writing sample demonstrating your ability to communicate to a school district community and/or with a school district board

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Ben Bennett, Report for America

Ben Bennett is a Report for America corps member covering education in lower Bucks County for the Bucks County Beacon. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions. Before joining Report for America, Bennett interned and worked as a newsroom fellow at WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR affiliate station. There he covered K-12 education, school closures, and youth civic engagement stories. His interest in journalism began in high school, writing movie reviews for the school paper. Bennett went on to study journalism at American University and graduated in 2024. When he is not reporting, you can find him at the local AMC, rooting for the Knicks and Giants, or exploring Philly with his dog Beau.