Bald Eagle Area Names New Superintendent

The Bald Eagle Area School Board on Monday approved the district’s next superintendent.

Christopher Santini will succeed Curtis Whitesel, who departed in early April after less than two years in the role to become superintendent at Hollidaysburg Area School District. Joseph Clapper is currently serving as interim superintendent.

Santini’s five-year contract will begin on July 1.

A graduate of State College Area High School and Penn State, Santini was a middle school and high school principal at Central Cambria School District in Ebnensburg for 12 years before being appointed the district’s director of pupil services and operations in March.

According to the district, he was selected as BEA’s new superintendent from among nearly 25 applicants in a search that aided by School Assist Consulting.

“Mr. Santini brings many years of experience in educational leadership to his new role,” BEA School Board President Tina Greene said in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with him to propel Bald Eagle forward and continue our success as a student-focused school district. Mr. Santini has roots in Centre County and is familiar with our district. We know this will be a great asset to all.”

Santini started his career as a social studies teacher at Exeter Township High School in Reading and was an assistant high school principal at Manheim Central High School in Lancaster County for three years before joining Central Cambria.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies education from Penn State in 2002 and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Wilkes University in 2007.

“I am honored to be chosen by the Board of School Directors to serve as the next superintendent of the Bald Eagle Area School District,” Santini said in a statement. “I look forward to working with a strong board and leadership team, talented teachers, and students who excel in the classroom, the performing arts, the skilled trades and athletics. My wife, Emily, and I are extremely excited to return home to Centre County to serve the Bald Eagle Area School District.”

Santini will be the district’s fourth superintendent in the past four-and-a-half years. Jeff Miles retired in early 2020 following seven years as superintendent and his successor, Scott Graham, retired because of health reasons in April 2022 after less than two years in the role. Graham was succeeded by Whitesel, whose appointment began in October 2022. Clapper has served as interim superintendent following each departure.