Superintendent Search Portal

Columbia Borough School District is seeking highly qualified candidates
to serve as Superintendent.

The Columbia Borough School District (CBSD) is a third class school district organized under state law and located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The district is governed by a nine member Board of School Directors; each director is elected to a four-year term in office. The superintendent is the chief administrative officer of the district with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. At the present time, the school district has contracted Director of Technology, Business Manager, and Director of Human Resources services from the Eastern Lancaster County School District. The district comprises the same boundaries as the Borough of Columbia which is located on the east shore of the Susquehanna River. The district encompasses only 2.4 square miles.

The CBSD has a rich history. As early as 1807, landowners such as Samuel Wright sold or donated land for the purpose of establishing a school. When the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave schools the power of regulating themselves, Columbia was one of the first communities to establish a school board and to begin taxation to support its school. By 1857 there were six separate schools established and in early 1860, a three story building was built. It was eventually rated as one of the largest and finest schools in the Commonwealth at that time. There is a rich tradition of providing high-quality education to the citizens of Columbia Borough that continues to the present day.

In an effort to provide high-quality academic programming for all students, the district went through a re-alignment of its grade levels and building placement. Previously, the district had two elementary schools. Taylor was established in 1904 and Park Elementary in 1980. The combined schools housed about 600 students. The Middle and High School building was located on “the Hill” in Columbia and houses about 700 students. After the district restructured in the 2014-2015 school
year, the district now has one elementary school (Park Elementary K-4), two middle schools (Taylor Campus 5-6 /Hill Campus 7-8), and one high school (9-12).

The district has a professional staff of about 125 and a support staff of 89. The administrative team consists of a Superintendent, a Director of Curriculum/Coordinator of Federal Programs, a Special Education Coordinator, a High School Principal, a Middle School Principal, an Elementary Principal, and "contracted support" for the positions of Director of Technology, Business Manager, and Director of Human Resources.

Mission Statement

The Columbia Borough School District is committed to fostering a growth mindset that leads to an increase in the overall rigor and development of our students and staff.

Vision Statement

To be a progressive District that provides the type of learning environment where each student can fulfill his/her highest academic potential as an independent, lifelong learner while extolling all the attributes of a responsible, caring citizen.

Shared Values

We believe:

• All students possess the ability to learn.
• Education is a partnership between family, school, and community.
• All students and staff must be treated equally, fairly, and with respect.
• All students and staff must be accepted and appreciated for their individuality and diversity.
• All students must be given opportunities to reach their full potential and to develop their individual talents.
• The educational process requires all students and their parents/guardians to be responsible and active participants.
• All students and staff are entitled to a safe and secure environment.
• All students and staff must be able to use technology as an integral part of their teaching, learning, and individual productivity.
• All students must be prepared for lifelong learning and a variety of careers in a diverse global society.
• A highly qualified and dedicated staff is essential to the learning process.
• All decisions and actions must be in the best interest of our students.