New Easton Area Superintendent Choice Close

The Easton Area School Board has narrowed its search for a new school superintendent down to two candidates.

Robert Culp, assistant executive director of the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, and Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder are the two finalists to lead the Easton Area School District, the Express-Times reports.

Meanwhile, school board member Pat Vulcano Jr. tells The Morning Call that Easton Mayor Sal Panto applied for the job but didn't make the cut because he didn't submit a required letter of eligibility from the state.

Vulcano said the mayor was more or less forced to apply because many residents encouraged him to do so.

Last year, when he was rumored to be a Northampton County executive candidate, Panto said the superintendent's job was the only thing that might lure him from his current office.

The school board voted last year not to renew Superintendent Susan McGinley's contract. Her five-year contract ends this year.

Last month, board member Frank Pintabone said that the district wasn't choosing from internal candidates.

Whoever the board chooses will have to deal with a district trying to raise its educational standards while also digging itself out of years of budget deficits.

The board is expected to make its choice next month.