School Board Update on Superintendent Leadership
To Members of the Elizabethtown Area School District Community
As many of you know, during its regular scheduled meeting on April 28, the Board of School Directors unanimously appointed our Chief Financial Officer, Tom Strickler, as Interim Superintendent. Mr. Strickler succeeds Dr. Karen Nell, who resigned her position on April 28 to accept the superintendency of the Eastern Lebanon County School District.
In his role as Interim Superintendent, Mr. Strickler will continue to oversee the district’s financial operations while also leading several critical district initiatives, including implementation of the new Comprehensive Plan and the early phases of the Middle School/High School Building Project. Since joining the Elizabethtown Area School District in June 2023, Mr. Strickler has made significant contributions as a member of the district’s central office administrative team.
As the Board continues planning for the eventual appointment of a permanent superintendent, we initially indicated that a broader search process involving stakeholder participation would begin in the coming months. While that remains an option, the Board believes it is both prudent and responsible to first conduct a formal assessment of Mr. Strickler’s candidacy before making additional decisions regarding the direction of the search process.
To support this effort, the Board has asked our Director of Human Resources, Kristen Blust, to design and facilitate a rigorous process through which the Board may formally interview Mr. Strickler, consistent with district policy and sound human resource management practices. This, we believe, will allow the Board to most effectively assess Mr. Strickler’s approach to education and organizational leadership while also exploring a bold and forward-thinking vision for the future of the Elizabethtown School District.
Because the interview process will examine the skills, experiences, competencies, and leadership characteristics necessary for success in leading Elizabethtown School District, particular attention will be given to areas such as educational excellence, financial stewardship, operational effectiveness, district culture, staff morale, core values, family and community engagement, and long-term organizational leadership.
The Board recognizes that the next several years represent a pivotal moment. Accordingly, one of the Board's primary goals is to work collaboratively with the selected district leader to develop an ambitious plan that defines the district's future direction. The work will involve strategic goal-setting, visionary planning and continued investment in the development of our existing administrative team to strengthen leadership capacity and position the district for long-term continuity and success.
Welcoming a new superintendent is among the most significant transitions any district can experience. It represents not only a change in leadership, but also an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, inspire innovation, and advance the district’s mission of educational excellence and ensuring we are preparing students to contribute responsibly and thrive in a changing world.