Praises were tossed about freely when the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board voted to appoint Tim Hoffman as the new superintendent.
Hoffman was appointed assistant superintendent in May of 2021 after four years as district director of curriculum and instruction and five years as principal at Patton Middle School.
His contract as superintendent of schools will run for five years beginning Aug. 1 of this year, with an annual salary of $258,000.
In speaking of the appointment of Hoffman as his successor, soon-to-retire Superintendent John Sanville said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled with the choice. Tim was my first administrative hire…I’ve watched him make good decision after good decision.”
In addressing Hoffman, he said, “You’re respected by the staff, you’re respected by the community, you’re respected by me, and I’m thrilled that you’re going to be our next superintendent.”
Praises from school board directors started even before the unanimous vote, beginning with Region C’s Erin Talbert.
“Tim, you are absolutely one of the most rewarding parts of school board service for me,” Talbert said. “You are always game for anything crazy I want to cook up, try, change, the fun things in your office, trying to figure out how to do things better, and I appreciate that so much.”
Board President Victoria Baratta said she’s confident that working with Hoffman will be an “exciting, fun, and worthwhile experience for me personally and for the entire staff and students of the district.”
Baratta also leveled a teasing jab at Hoffman and figuratively doffed her cap to the outgoing superintendent.
“You’re not the coolest guy, but you’re pretty cool. You’ve had an excellent role model in Dr. Sanville on how to run a school district and to be an outstanding leader, and I know you’ll bring your own special twist to things. We’re in excellent hands. Congratulations.”
While not in attendance, Director Elise Anderson sent a written message that Baratta read.
The message said in part, “I believe that Dr. Hoffman’s appointment as superintendent reflects the board’s strategic vision for the future of our district, including our continued growth toward an even greater academic excellence and expansion of career paths for graduates…I’m fully confident that Dr. Hoffman will lead the district into a new era of greatness in which the best of UCFSD traditions will be upheld, new initiatives will be introduced that will further our mission in the areas that matter most.”
Other directors had their say regarding Hoffman as well.
Rashi Akki said the district is “in a great place because of the core values, the match of the core values, your empathy, your listening skills.”
Mary Kate Loomis said to Hoffman, “I’m so excited about the next chapter. I think you’re going to take what has already been built by Dr. Sanville and expand beyond that…I’m excited for what comes next.”
Brian Schartz said there were many excellent candidates for the position, but that in Hoffman, the district already had a candidate “who has already been instrumental in the district’s legacy, who “understands the challenges and opportunities in front of us, and who aspires to continue building to make UCF a leading school district.”
Directors Jody Allen, Steve Simonson, and Jeff Hellrung were equally effusive in the promotion of Hoffman to superintendent.
Hoffman expressed his appreciation to the board, saying, “I’m filled with profound gratitude. This appointment as superintendent of schools is a tremendous honor, and it would not have been possible without the unwavering support and belief of each of you. Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful process you undertook, and for placing your trust in my vision and leadership.”
In addition to welcoming Hoffman in his new role, the board also announced the hiring of Nick Allen as the principal of C.F. Patton Middle School. He replaces Steve Dissinger, who is retiring.
Allen is currently the assistant principal of Bala Cynwyd Middle School in the Lower Merion School District, and previously held appointments in Lower Merion and the School District of Philadelphia as an interim assistant principal and school counselor.
He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s in education from Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s in education and counseling and mental health services from the University of Pennsylvania.
In introducing Allen, Sanville said there were 50 applicants for the position at Patton, and that after three levels of interviews, “it was clear that Mr. Allen was the best candidate, the best choice to lead Patton Middle School…We’re thrilled to have you, Nick.”
Allen’s salary will be $156,000 per year, beginning July 21.
In addressing the board during its May 19 meeting, Allen thanked both Sanville and Hoffman, adding that “Dr. Hoffman is the huge reason I want to be here. I love where I am, I love my job, but I’m at a place where building something is really important to me.”
He added, “One thing I will promise you as a community is that we will be a building that leads as every child is our child.”
The votes for Allen and Hoffman were unanimous.
Later in the meeting, the board also appointed Finance Director Joe Deady as board secretary.
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.
