School board members at Blue Mountain unanimously chose Dr. Jason Lilly to be the district’s next Superintendent.
Lilly is scheduled to begin work at Blue Mountain School District on July 1. He replaces Dr. David Helsel, who is retiring on June 30 after more than nine years at Blue Mountain.
A special meeting was held Thursday evening at Blue Mountain Middle School to vote on Lilly’s hiring.
“I’m excited to take on this role and really humbled at the support that I’ve gotten so far here at Blue Mountain,” Lilly said in remarks at Thursday’s meeting.
Lilly comes to Blue Mountain from Lower Merion School District where he’s been lead supervisor for curriculum and instruction since 2022. Prior to that, he served as principal of Lower Merion Virtual Academy.
As for what parents and the Blue Mountain community can expect from Lilly as the next superintendent, he said don’t expect sweeping changes.
“It’s about continuous growth,” Lilly said.
He also spelled out what his first 90 days on the job will look like at Blue Mountain.
“What you can expect is a lot of listening and learning, trying to best understand the strengths, needs, and what this community is all about,” Lilly said. “The quicker I can learn it, the quicker I can become part of that. I don’t have a pre-determined agenda to change everything.”
Lilly also thanked Helsel for leaving Blue Mountain in a good place as he prepares to step into his shoes in about a month.
According to board president Michelle Vesay, Blue Mountain interviewed more than 20 candidates to be Helsel’s replacement. That field was narrowed to nine and then three finalists.
In comments to The Canary, she said it was Lilly’s “personality” that separated him from the field and what she believes makes him an ideal fit for Blue Mountain School District.
“We were so fortunate because we had so many good candidates,” Vesay said. “Not only did he have the skills, I think he has the right personality to come in and be part of who we are and to drive us further. That’s what we need.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Blue Mountain is signing a 5-year contact with Lilly. His salary is pending final negotiations with the district’s solicitor, Eric Prock
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