Pottsville Area School District Superintendent Sarah Yoder has stepped down from the job.
On Wednesday, school board members at Pottsville Area accepted her resignation. Nearly simultaneously, Yoder was hired by Chester County Intermediate Unit as its Director of Innovative Educational Services at a salary of $193,907.
School board members voted at tonight’s meeting to amend their agenda to add in Yoder’s resignation, which they learned of after the agenda had been made public.
At Pottsville’s school board meeting Wednesday, president Linda Wytovich said Yoder’s final date will “be determined within the 90-day contractual time period.”
School board president Linda Wytovich said following the acceptance of Yoder’s resignation, “On behalf of the Pottsville Area School District Board of Education, I want to extend our sincere congratulations to Dr. Sarah Yoder on her nomination by the Chester County Intermediate Unit to become the Director of Innovative Educational Services.
“Over the past four years, Dr. Yoder has led our district with vision, innovation, and a deep commitment to student success. Her leadership has brought meaningful change and lasting impact to our schools, and while we are thrilled for this next chapter in her career, she will be deeply missed by our entire school community.”
“We thank Dr. Yoder for her outstanding service and wish her continued success in all that lies ahead.”
In her letter to school board members announcing her intent to resign, released to The Canary, Yoder, who was not in attendance at the Pottsville board meeting to attend her hiring in Chester County, says, “It has been a true privilege to lead the Pottsville Area School District as part of our dedicated team of ten. I am deeply grateful for the many opportunities I have had and for the meaningful relationships formed with the administrative team, faculty, staff, students, families, and the broader PASD community. Serving the district in which my husband and I raised our family has been the greatest honor of my professional life.
“My time with PASD-as both an educator and leader-has been motivating, forward- thinking, and immensely rewarding. I especially want to thank the Board for its steadfast commitment to putting students first, a shared vision that has driven significant financial and educational progress. I look forward to assisting with the leadership transition in any way that is helpful.”
Yoder signed a five-year contract with Pottsville Area in 2023 after her initial contract had expired.
Her salary was $165,000 at the start of her new contract and called for a 2.5% annual raise through the duration of the deal.
She was hired to replace ousted Superintendent Jeff Zwiebel in 2021. Jared Gerace served briefly as acting Superintendent between the two.
Yoder’s term as Superintendent at Pottsville Area has been marked by some controversy.
In 2024, she and the school district were met with a civil lawsuit filed by students and staff of Gillingham Charter School in Pottsville who allege Yoder excluded them from a college fair at Martz Hall.
That lawsuit remains active in federal court.
Finding a Replacement
School officials in Pottsville must now find a replacement for Yoder.
Wytovich said board members will be meeting soon to come up with a transition plan. She said the board is “committed to a transparent, inclusive approach” aimed at keeping the “community informed and engaged every step of the way.”
“Our focus is on supporting our students, staff, and families throughout this time of change,” Wytovich said.
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