‘Rewarding and unforgettable.’ State College superintendent to resign after 11 years with district

State College Area School District superintendent Bob O’Donnell announced his upcoming resignation in a letter to parents Monday night.

O’Donnell has been with the district for 11 years and is moving to the Downingtown Area School District in Chester County. There, he’ll be closer to his mother and extended family “while still serving in a meaningful leadership role for another excellent school district,” he wrote. His appointment as superintendent was approved Monday evening by the Downingtown Area School District school board.

He will stay on as State College Area School District’s superintendent until the end of June.

“The relationships that we have built during my tenure are what I am most proud of, but also what made this decision so difficult,” O’Donnell wrote in a letter sent to parents.

The board released a statement thanking O’Donnell and wishing him well in his upcoming position.

“Dr. O’Donnell has helped our Board set significant goals to improve the education of children in our schools, and has worked with our faculty and staff to set a course of action to meet these goals,” SCASD board president Amber Concepcion wrote on behalf of the board.

The board listed several of O’Donnell’s achievements including the renovation of older school facilities, leading curriculum change and working toward more equity and inclusion for students and staff.

“Most of all we will miss Dr. O’Donnell’s caring for students,” Concepcion wrote. “Throughout his tenure here, students were always at the forefront of his thinking, and we could see this first-hand in his kind and attentive interactions with kids, as well as in his tireless focus on their learning and well-being throughout the pandemic.”

O’Donnell’s resignation letter will be on the agenda for the April 25 board meeting.

The board is beginning the search for a new superintendent immediately and plans on providing opportunities for the community to weigh in on the hiring process.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who made our time here rewarding and unforgettable,” O’Donnell wrote.