Sanville calls it quits

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on February 1, 2025

Unionville-Chadds Ford Superintendent of Schools John Sanville, who has faced criticism during the last few years, announced late Friday that he’s retiring at the end of this July. He did not give any reason in his message except to say, “This decision comes after much reflection and conversation with my bride Debbie, and while not made lightly, I know the timing is right.”

Chadds Ford Live immediately sent an email to Sanville, as well as to several school board members for comments and clarifications. Sanville declined to comment, but two school board directors did later that night.

(File photo) Superintendent of Schools John Sanville applauds the Class of 2022 during the Unionville High School graduation. He announced on Jan. 31 that he is retiring as of July 31.

Jeff Hellrung praised Sanville, calling him an outstanding leader and that the district residents should be grateful for his efforts.

“He's been an outstanding superintendent in every way. He is a great educational leader. He built an excellent administrative team and a superlative faculty. Our students are thriving academically, in the performing arts, and in athletics and extracurricular activities as never before. He kept tax increases below inflation over his tenure. He is more responsible than anyone else for making us a top-tier public school district in our commonwealth. Our community should be overwhelmingly grateful.”

Erin Talbert said, “Having served well beyond the average three-year tenure for Pennsylvania superintendents, I think he has certainly earned this next chapter! I am grateful for his dedicated leadership and contributions to our educational community.”

Other people have different opinions of Sanville and his time as superintendent.

Former school board Director Holly Manzone commented that it’s time for Sanville to go.

“It is time for John Sanville to move on. I understand he is under investigation by the state and is being sued by a parent in the district. Citizens may be concerned that they are being saddled with his defense costs and with the inordinate spending on his ‘glory projects,’ such as the new middle school, the most recent in a long list of expenditures that have not improved student academic performance.”

Birmingham Township’s Chad Williams, who has had strong disagreements with Sanville and the school board members, made the following statement:

“This is a good first step toward accountability in the district. A lot has happened this week with the United States Department of Education, and there is a lot more to come. There must be full transparency and accountability for the documented misconduct and violations of law over the last few years. The entire school board owes this community a lot of answers.”

Williams, and others, have leveled concerns and criticisms at Sanville during the last few years regarding the district’s COVID policies, specifically the legality of forced masking, and about a reported sex survey given to students without parental authorization. He went so far as to file a complaint about the survey with the state Department of Education last spring.

[See https://chaddsfordlive.com/2024/06/11/parents-concerned-about-sex-survey/ and https://chaddsfordlive.com/2024/05/28/allegation-of-lies-and-misconduct-at-ucf/]

Sanville was hired in August of 2011 to replace Sharon Parker. He was already a district employee, serving as the district’s curriculum director for the middle and high schools, and had previously been the principal at Marple Newtown High School.

In his message announcing his retirement, Sanville wrote:

“Over these past 14 years, I've had the privilege of being part of countless moments that make our school community special — from watching kindergartners take their first steps into our buildings, to celebrating with seniors as they walk across the graduation stage. What stands out most isn't any particular achievement, though we've had many to celebrate together. Rather, it's the daily interactions that have made this journey so meaningful — the conversations in hallways, the student performances and athletic events, the parent meetings, and the countless ways this community comes together to support our children.”

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.