Superintendent Search
During the February 18, 2025 Regular Board Meeting, the Board formally accepted the retirement of Superintendent Dr. John Sanville effective July 31, 2025. One of the longest tenured superintendents in Pennsylvania, Dr. Sanville has provided steadfast leadership and a deep commitment to the success of our students, staff, and families. We are grateful for his service and the lasting impact he has made on our district.
To ensure a seamless and thoughtful leadership transition, the Board also approved the selection of the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to help facilitate the search process for our next superintendent. This page is committed to providing updates on the search process, including communicating opportunities for community input.
Community Updates
March 6 Community Update
Dear UCFSD Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Community:
We are pleased to announce that the search for the next superintendent of schools for Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is underway! During the February School Board meeting, the Board of School Directors approved an agreement with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to conduct a confidential search for our next superintendent.
We have begun to meet with the CCIU search team, and we are excited to report that advertising for the position has been posted nationally with a deadline for application submission of April 7, 2025.
Below you will find several updates and key components of the search process.
Process and Confidentiality
Communicating with you, our district stakeholders, is integral to the search process. Updates regarding the search will be posted on the district’s website as new developments in the process unfold.
We will engage our community in guiding and informing our search process through the use of focus groups and survey tools as well as community updates from the Board. To attract a wide field of experienced candidates, it is necessary that the superintendent search process be confidential. This means that only the Board and the CCIU search team will be privy to the candidates' information and involved in the interview process.
Stakeholder Participation
The Board is seeking your input through a series of focus groups facilitated by the CCIU. We want to know your views, and we welcome dialogue about the future direction of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. To encourage open and honest conversations, the Board and central administration will not be present during any of the focus group meetings.
CCIU representatives will facilitate the meetings and collect all information in aggregate to preserve anonymity. A candidate profile outlining desired experience, skills and characteristics, and interview questions will be created based on stakeholder priorities and feedback.
If you would like to participate in one of the focus groups below, please click the link to register. We ask that you please register for your respective focus group at least one day prior to the meeting. The links can be found in the chart below.
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UCFSD SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH FOCUS GROUPS |
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Focus Group |
Location |
Date |
Time |
Registration |
|
Administrators |
UCF |
Wednesday, March 12 |
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
In person |
|
Professional Staff |
Zoom |
Tuesday, March 18 |
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
|
|
Parents/ Guardians |
Zoom |
Tuesday, March 18 |
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. |
|
|
HS Students |
UHS |
Wednesday, March 19 |
10:27 - 11:27 a.m. |
In person |
|
Support Staff |
Zoom |
Wednesday, March 19 |
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
|
|
Community |
Zoom |
Thursday, March 20 |
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. |
|
Next Steps
After the application deadline of April 7, the comprehensive selection process to identify our next superintendent will start. We will conduct thorough preliminary screenings of applicant credentials, carefully evaluating each candidate's qualifications, experience, and potential to lead our district.
The most promising candidates will be invited to participate in a rigorous multi-stage interview process to assess each candidate's educational vision, leadership capabilities, and alignment with our district's strategic goals.
Our timeline anticipates completing the search process by May 2025, enabling the selected superintendent to assume leadership of the district by August 1, 2025. This carefully planned approach ensures a smooth transition and minimal disruption to our educational community.
We are deeply committed to transparency and collaboration throughout this critical process. We invite and welcome input from our entire UCFSD community as we seek an exceptional educational leader who will inspire our students, support our educators, and advance our district's mission of educational excellence.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement during this important journey.
Sincerely,
Board of School Directors
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District
February 19 Press Release
Honoring a Legacy of Service: Dr. Sanville to Retire
UCFSD Superintendent Dr. John Sanville Announces Retirement After Distinguished Career in Education
UNIONVILLE, PA – The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) Board of Directors formally accepted the retirement of Superintendent Dr. John Sanville during its February 18 Regular Board Meeting. Dr. Sanville, who has led UCFSD since 2011, will retire on July 31, 2025, concluding a remarkable career in public education spanning more than three decades. Currently one of the longest tenured Superintendents in Pennsylvania, Dr. Sanville leaves behind a legacy of student-centered leadership, academic excellence, and statewide advocacy.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Dr. Sanville joined UCFSD in 2007 as Director of Secondary Curriculum before becoming Superintendent in 2011. Under his leadership, the district has remained one of the top-performing school systems in Pennsylvania, earning multiple national and state distinctions, including being named “District of the Decade” by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2021. His tenure is marked by significant milestones, including:
- Academic Excellence: UCFSD has consistently ranked among the top-performing districts in Pennsylvania, with students excelling in standardized assessments, AP coursework, and competitive academic programs. This year, 55 Unionville High School seniors received National Merit recognition, with 23 named finalists—double the number from when Dr. Sanville first became superintendent. Unionville High School has also been recognized this year as the #1 STEM high school in Pennsylvania and #68 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Under Dr. Sanville’s leadership, UCFSD expanded STEM education, student-driven research opportunities, and innovative learning experiences, ensuring students are well-prepared for future success.
- Focus on Student Wellness: Recognizing the growing pressures on students, Dr. Sanville championed initiatives to support mental health, student resilience, and well-being. UCFSD became one of the first districts in Pennsylvania to implement later school start times, aligning with research on adolescent health.
- Expanding Student Support Services: During Dr. Sanville’s tenure, UCFSD has expanded Title I programs, enhanced special education services, and strengthened student mental health initiatives to ensure all learners have the resources they need to succeed. The district has added more social workers and counselors, increased intervention programs for struggling students, and prioritized student wellness through proactive mental health initiatives and advisory supports.
- Community and Communication: Dr. Sanville prioritized transparency and engagement, fostering a culture of collaboration through advisory groups, committees, and community input opportunities to help shape district decision-making. He has remained accessible and engaged with the community, regularly meeting with stakeholders through initiatives like "Java with John," which provides an open forum for discussion. He also supported UCFSD’s efforts to honor its diverse community by becoming one of the first districts in Pennsylvania to recognize Diwali and Lunar New Year as school holidays, in addition to the more traditional Judeo-Christian holidays.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Over his 14-year tenure, Dr. Sanville has balanced fiscal responsibility with strategic investment in district programs. Each of the 14 budgets passed under his leadership kept tax increases below the Act 1 index, ensuring financial sustainability while advancing UCFSD’s educational mission.
"Dr. Sanville has served the students, staff, board, and community of UCFSD with distinction for 14 years, providing both innovative vision and steady leadership,” said Dr. Victoria Baratta, UCFSD Board President. “His impact is evident across all grade levels, programs, and initiatives. From developing the Portrait of a Graduate and introducing Full-Day Kindergarten to strengthening school safety and enhancing academics and student activities, he has shaped the district’s future. He leaves UCFSD well run, well staffed, and well resourced, but his ‘never better’ optimism, strategic thinking, kindness, and tireless dedication will be deeply missed."
Impact Beyond UCFSD
Dr. Sanville’s leadership has extended far beyond the district. He is a respected voice in Pennsylvania’s education community, having served as President of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) during the 2022-23 school year. In this role, he advocated for policy changes, fair funding, and innovative educational practices that benefited students statewide.
Throughout his career, Dr. Sanville has been actively involved in state and national education organizations, including The School Superintendents Association (AASA), National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), and regional superintendent councils, shaping discussions on student success, educational leadership, and school improvement. His work has influenced districts across Pennsylvania and beyond.
“Dr. Sanville’s tenure as Superintendent has been defined by exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication to students, and a deep commitment to public education,” said Dr. George Fiore, Immediate Past President of PASA and Executive Director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit. “His election as PASA President reflects the high regard in which he is held by his peers across the Commonwealth. Through his mentorship and advocacy, he has shaped the future of education in Pennsylvania, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Looking Ahead
With his upcoming retirement, UCFSD will begin the process of selecting its next Superintendent. As part of the February 18 Board Meeting, the Board also approved the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to lead the search process for Dr. Sanville’s successor. More details on the timeline and opportunities for stakeholder input will be shared in the coming weeks.
Reflecting on his time at UCFSD, Dr. Sanville shared:
"Serving as Superintendent of Unionville-Chadds Ford School District has been the greatest privilege of my career. This district is defined by its incredible students, passionate educators, and a community that values education. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together and excited for the district’s continued success in the years ahead."
Timeline
- Job Posting Live: March 2 - April 7, 2025
- Community Focus Groups: Week of March 17, 2025
- Community Survey: End of March 2025
- Candidate Screening and Interviews: April 2025
- Selection of Next Superintendent: Early May 2025
- New Superintendent Start Date: On or Near August 1, 2025