Dear CBSD Community, 

We are pleased to officially announce that our school board approved a five-year appointment for Dr. Joanna Wexler as the district’s next superintendent at a special meeting last night. She is expected to begin her role on July 1, 2026. You can view the agenda and watch the meeting video via the district's website.

Throughout the search, Dr. Wexler distinguished herself not only through her experience, but through how she engaged with our community and approached the opportunity to lead Central Bucks. She showed up at every stage of the process, demonstrating a clear, thoughtful, and student-centered approach to leadership, grounded in collaboration, transparency, and a strong sense of purpose. At last week’s community forum, she answered tough questions directly, responding with honesty, clarity, and respect for the perspectives shared. 

Dr. Wexler has expressed a commitment to being a visible and engaged presence across Central Bucks. As she prepares to begin her tenure, she is developing an entry plan centered on listening and learning. This will include intentional opportunities to meet with students, staff, families, and community members across our district to better understand their experiences, perspectives, and priorities. That input will play an important role in helping to ensure a thoughtful, well-informed transition. More information will be shared in the coming months. 

Central Bucks is a strong and vibrant school district community. We are confident that Dr. Wexler is the right leader to build on that foundation and help guide us into our next chapter with integrity, care, and a clear vision for the future. 

Sincerely, 

Heather Reynolds 
School Board President 

Susan Gibson 
School Board Vice President

Dear CBSD Community, 

On behalf of the Central Bucks Board of School Directors, thank you to everyone who attended or watched our community forum on Wednesday night, where we introduced Dr. Joanna Wexler as the finalist candidate for our next superintendent.  

If you were unable to attend or watch live, a video recording and a full recap are available on our website. 

The forum provided an opportunity for the community to begin getting to know Dr. Wexler and to hear her responses to pre-submitted questions. In total, nearly 70 questions were submitted by 40 individuals, including teachers, staff members, students, parents, and community members.

We opened the evening with a musical performance by CB East senior Shayna Shkolnikov, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Kutz Elementary School students Jax Fitzpatrick and Gionni Pleggi. We thank these students for such a positive and welcoming start to the night!

Dr. Wexler then took the floor to talk about her professional journey. She was deeply impacted by her experience supporting a student with autism when she was a senior in college. She described this experience as foundational to her leadership philosophy, which prioritizes empathy, perspective-taking, and student-centered decision-making. She also spoke about her “team of teams” leadership model and acknowledged both the strengths of CB and the challenges the district has faced in recent years.

The 45-minute question-and-answer session, moderated by Dr. Mark Hoffman of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, focused on themes drawn from community submissions. Portions of certain pre-submitted questions were read verbatim to illustrate how the themes were determined. Topics included special education, classroom experience, equity and access, school climate, rebuilding trust, technology, and the district’s financial outlook.

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Wexler emphasized a commitment to collaborative leadership and decision-making grounded in the best interests of students. She spoke about strengthening special education systems through data and analysis, including the forthcoming results of the independent review of the district’s pupil services program.

Dr. Wexler also highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust through visible leadership, clear communication, and engagement of staff and families. She discussed a balanced approach to technology, artificial intelligence, and student device use, along with the need for transparency in addressing the district’s financial challenges. She also reviewed her approach to entering the role, including a listening-focused transition period. 

For more information, we invite you to view the recording and read the full recap.  

The board is scheduled to vote on Dr. Wexler’s appointment on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the district’s Educational Services Center (16 Welden Dr., Doylestown). All community members are invited to attend.  

Thank you for your ongoing support of CB. In partnership with district families, teachers, staff, students, and community members, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our district in the years ahead. 

Sincerely, 

Heather Reynolds 
School Board President  

Susan Gibson 
School Board Vice President 

Dear CBSD Community, 

We write to remind you that all teachers, staff members, students, parents/guardians, and members of our community are invited to attend a public forum introducing Dr. Joanna M. Wexler, our finalist candidate for superintendent, on Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. at CB West (375 West Court St., Doylestown). The event will include remarks from Dr. Wexler followed by a moderated question-and-answer session.  

Community members may submit up to two questions in advance by tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1. To help ensure a wide range of topics are addressed, the pre-submitted questions will be grouped by themes rather than asked verbatim, and the forum will not include time for live questions or comments. 

The board is scheduled to vote on officially approving Dr. Wexler as superintendent at a special board meeting on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Educational Services Center (16 Welden Dr., Doylestown).

We hope to see you at one or both events, and are energized about the future of CB. 

Sincerely, 

Heather Reynolds 
School Board President 

Susan Gibson 
School Board Vice President 

The Central Bucks School District Board of School Directors has selected Dr. Joanna M. Wexler as the finalist candidate to become the district’s next superintendent following a comprehensive national search. 

Currently serving as assistant superintendent of Great Valley School District in Malvern, a role she has held since 2020, Dr. Wexler will be introduced to the Central Bucks community at a public forum on Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. at CB West High School (365 West Court St., Doylestown). The school board is scheduled to vote on her official appointment at a special meeting on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at the district’s Educational Services Center (16 Welden Dr., Doylestown). 

“We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Joanna Wexler as the superintendent finalist candidate for Central Bucks,” said School Board President Heather Reynolds. “Her extensive experience, particularly in special education and human resources, comes at a critical time for our district, and we have full confidence in her ability to strengthen these areas while building on our strong academic foundation. Dr. Wexler is a thoughtful, student-centered leader who values trust, transparency, and collaboration, and we are excited for what's to come.” 

About Joanna M. Wexler, Ph.D.

Dr. Wexler brings 29 years of experience in public education. As Great Valley’s assistant superintendent, she oversees major components of the district’s human resources systems, including recruitment, evaluation, labor relations, and contract negotiations. She also plays a lead role in implementing the realignment of Great Valley’s elementary and middle schools, has extensive experience with Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and other instructional frameworks, and serves as the district’s Title IX coordinator. 

Prior to becoming assistant superintendent, Dr. Wexler served as director of special education and student services in Great Valley for six years, where she led districtwide programs supporting students with diverse learning needs. During that time, she implemented evidence-based initiatives such as the Wilson Reading System, developed the Language for Learning early literacy program, helped implement the PREPARE crisis response model, oversaw the Safe2Say program, and restructured special education staffing and gifted support services to improve outcomes. 

Dr. Wexler began her career in education in 1997 as a teacher assistant of specialized instruction at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. She later served as a school psychologist and student services leader in several Pennsylvania districts, including Exeter Township Area School District, Souderton Area School District, and Lower Merion School District. Dr. Wexler has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels.   

Dr. Wexler earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Ursinus College, a Master of Education and Ph.D. from Temple University, and a Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Immaculata University. 

"It is an incredible honor to be named the finalist candidate for the next superintendent of Central Bucks School District,” Dr. Wexler said. “I am grateful to the board of directors for the opportunity and their trust. Pending my formal appointment, I look forward to partnering with students, teachers, staff, families, and the broader community to build on the district’s strengths and listen with intention as we work to ensure every student has the support they need to thrive and succeed.” 

More on April 8 Public Forum and Search Process

The April 8 public forum is presented by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and will include a student performance, introductory remarks from Dr. Wexler, and a question-and-answer session facilitated by Dr. Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks IU.

Community members are invited to submit up to two questions for consideration at the forum by April 1 by visiting https://bciu.formstack.com/forms/cbsdcommunityforum2026.  

Dr. Wexler was identified as the finalist candidate following a multi-round interview process informed by feedback from nearly 1,000 employees, parents, students, and community members about the qualities most important in the district’s next leader. 

The search process began in November 2025 in partnership with the Bucks IU, which conducted the search and helped recruit and evaluate candidates from across the region and nation. The position attracted 26 applicants, and the board conducted interviews with 15 candidates before narrowing the field.

Three candidates advanced to in-depth interviews that included presentations and writing exercises related to district priorities. Members of the district’s administrative cabinet participated in the final round before the board confirmed Dr. Wexler as the finalist candidate. 

Dear CBSD Community,

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the recent community survey as part of our search for the district’s next superintendent. More than 840 teachers, staff members, parents/guardians, students, and community members shared their perspectives, and we are grateful for the strong level of engagement and input. 

We invite you to view a summary of the results prepared by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. Among the top priorities for our next superintendent, respondents indicated academics, the arts, and athletics; college and career readiness; school safety; responsible stewardship of district finances; school facilities; transportation; and district image and reputation. Respondents also emphasized the value of a superintendent who builds relationships, communicates effectively, works collaboratively with the school board, and places students at the center of decision-making.  

Feedback on leadership traits highlighted a desire for a superintendent with a clear educational vision, deep knowledge of curriculum and school finances, and the ability to build consensus while making well-informed decisions. 

The school board will use this feedback as an important part of the interview and selection process. Thank you again for sharing your voice and for your continued interest in the future of the district. We will keep you updated as the search process progresses. 

Sincerely, 

Heather Reynolds 
School Board President 

Susan Gibson 
School Board Vice President

Dear CBSD Community,

We invite you to view a video reminder about this week’s in-person opportunities for feedback into the district’s superintendent search, starting tonight at CB East. We appreciate your feedback in advance!

Sincerely,

Heather Reynolds
School Board President

Susan Gibson
School Board Vice President

Dear CBSD Community, 

We hope you had a great holiday season. The board and district are ready for a new year and all the excitement and anticipation it brings. 2026 is a particularly momentous year in CB, with grade realignment and the district-wide launch of full-day kindergarten coming in the fall. Regular updates throughout the rest of the school year will be shared by district administration as work progresses toward these milestones. We will also name a new superintendent this year, and we hope for community involvement in the process. 

Open Now to Jan. 16: Community Survey About Next Superintendent 

The first opportunity for public input during the superintendent search process starts today, Jan. 5, with a community survey. The survey is open to all members of the public, including students, parents/guardians, teachers, staff members, and all CB residents. It can be accessed at https://bciu.formstack.com/forms/cbsd_communitysurvey.  

The survey will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 and provides an opportunity for you to share feedback on the traits, priorities, and leadership qualities you feel are important in the district’s next leader. It takes five to 10 minutes to complete. We will read and consider all the feedback gathered and thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts. 

Nex Week: Community Forums 

Another way to share your thoughts is by attending a community forum. Three in-person events will be held next week for all members of the public, each beginning at 6 p.m. 

• Monday, Jan. 12 at CB East 
• Tuesday, Jan. 13 at CB South 
• Wednesday, Jan. 14 at CB West 

Pre-registration is optional to help us get a sense of the number of attendees. If you wish to let us know you will be attending, please complete this form. We will also remind the community of these opportunities as they approach. 

Information on Bucks IU and CBSD Webpages 

All public-facing information related to the superintendent search, including how to apply and previous communications, can be found on the Bucks County Intermediate Unit’s website and on the district’s website.  

We appreciate your continued engagement and input. The voices of our community members are critical as the board selects the district’s new leader. 

Sincerely, 

Heather Reynolds 
School Board President 

Susan Gibson 
School Board Vice President

Official Announcement from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit

Central Bucks School District has formally launched a search for its next superintendent of schools. At the Nov. 20, 2025 meeting of the Central Bucks Board of School Directors, the board unanimously voted to retain the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) to facilitate the search process.

The Bucks IU is an experienced provider of superintendent and education executive search services and offers this support at no-cost to Bucks County school districts. The district will reimburse the Bucks IU for out-of-pocket expenses related to advertising and other direct costs associated with the search.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

The Bucks IU will administer an electronic survey and host in-person focus groups to aid the board in its search, inform interview questions, and assist in evaluating candidates against identified priorities.

Both the electronic survey and in-person focus groups will be centered on the following two questions:

• What qualities, characteristics, and experiences would you like to see in Central Bucks School District’s next Superintendent?
• What main priorities should be addressed by the new superintendent in their first year?

The link for the electronic survey and the process to RSVP for the in-person focus groups will be shared in early January. More details about each opportunity are below.

• Community Survey: A community survey will be distributed to students, staff, parents, and community members beginning Jan. 5, 2026. The survey will seek feedback on the traits, characteristics, and priorities stakeholders believe are important in the district’s next superintendent. The survey will remain open through Jan. 16, 2026, and a summary of results will be shared with the community shortly thereafter. A link to the survey will be shared via the district’s social media accounts and on the district website.
   
• Focus Groups: As a part of the search process, the Bucks IU will gather input from various district stakeholder groups in early January. In addition, the community is invited to participate in three identical stakeholder focus groups, each scheduled from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:
  • Monday, Jan. 12 — CB East Cafeteria
  • Tuesday, Jan. 13 — CB South Cafeteria
  • Wednesday, Jan. 14 — CB West Cafeteria

Application Timeline and Search Process

The position will be posted on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, with applications due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. 

The job posting can be found at https://recruit.BucksIU.org/CBSearch.

The position will be advertised regionally, statewide, and nationally through professional associations and publications, including Education Week, The School Superintendents Association (AASA), the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA), the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA), the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), and the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU), as well as through county and state distribution lists and selected organizations in neighboring states.

The board expects to identify candidates for interviews in late January, with initial interviews anticipated in early February.

The Bucks IU will support the board by developing interview protocols, assisting with logistics, and facilitating the interview process. The members of the Central Bucks Board of School Directors retain sole responsibility for determining which candidates advance through each stage of the process and for selecting the district’s next superintendent.

The board’s goal is to name a new superintendent in the spring of 2026.  

Community Forum with Finalist

A community forum to introduce the finalist candidate will be scheduled once the terms of a mutually agreed upon employment contract are reached and scheduled for consideration at a public meeting of the Board of School Directors. 

Updates on the search process can be found at https://recruit.BucksIU.org/CBSearch.

For more information, please contact the Bucks IU team at CBSearch@BucksIU.org.

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ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Bucks IU): Celebrating 55 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. The Bucks IU serves individuals from ages birth to adult, students in 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.

Dear CBSD Community, 

We are writing to announce that applications will begin to be accepted for the district’s next superintendent on Monday, Dec. 22 when the position will be posted publicly. Interested candidates will be able to submit applications through Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.  

The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) was approved to facilitate the search at the Nov. 20 board business meeting. The position will be advertised regionally, statewide, and nationally. 

You can read the official announcement from the Bucks IU at https://recruit.BucksIU.org/CBSearch.  

Throughout the search process, it is the board’s priority to ensure district teachers, staff members, students, parents/guardians, and community members have opportunities to provide feedback on the traits, characteristics, and priorities they believe are important in CB’s next leader. We are committed to an open, transparent, and collaborative process that provides multiple venues for stakeholder input.  

Opportunities to Share Your Thoughts 

The Bucks IU will host input sessions for various employee groups in early January 2026. A community survey will be open from Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 through Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. A link to the survey will be emailed to the community and published on the district’s website. A summary of the survey results will be shared publicly shortly after the survey closes. 

Three regional community forums will be held in mid-January 2026 for all members of the public: Monday, Jan. 12 at CB East; Tuesday, Jan. 13 at CB South; and Wednesday, Jan. 14 at CB West. Each forum will begin at 6 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. 

Current Timeline for Selecting CB’s Next Leader 

The Bucks IU will support the board by developing interview protocols, assisting with logistics, and facilitating the interview process. The Bucks IU offers this service at no cost. The district will reimburse the Bucks IU only for out-of-pocket expenses related to advertising and other direct costs associated with the search. The board has sole responsibility for determining which candidates advance through each stage of the process and for selecting our next superintendent. 

The board’s goal is to begin holding interviews in early February 2026 and to name a finalist by spring 2026. A community forum with the finalist will be held prior to the board approving the appointment at a business meeting. 

Selecting CB’s next superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of the board, and community input is a vital part of that work. The posting of the position is an important moment for our district, and we value the voices of our entire community. Through open communication and meaningful engagement, we look forward to working together to identify a visionary leader who will excel at supporting and inspiring our students, teachers and staff, families, and community members.  

We wholeheartedly welcome your participation in the above feedback opportunities and thank you for your continued interest and involvement in the future of Central Bucks. We will be sure to remind you of these opportunities as they approach. 

Please have a joyful and restful Winter Break. 

Sincerely, 

Heather Reynolds 
School Board President 

Susan Gibson 
School Board Vice President