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BELLEFONTE -- The Bellefonte Area School Board approved the retirement of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kristopher Vancas Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of thanks and admiration by the community.
Dr. Vancas has been with the district in some capacity since December 2007. His retirement concludes 17 years of highly commended service.
"You've always been there for our children, and you've given nothing but the absolute best during your time here. I have known you for over 10 years now, and although many things have changed within that time period, the one thing that was always constant was that you were reliable, dependable, self-accountable and when times were bad you always had a positive outlook on what the outcome could be," said district parent and assistant coach Josh Brown.
Previously, Vancas served as principal of Benner Elementary School, a role for which he received a Governor's Award for Excellence in Academics in 2013 and the Pennsylvania Principals Association National Distinguished Principal Award in 2019.
While in leadership, he prioritized differentiated instruction and responsive teaching to ensure students received quality personalized education. He also implemented data based positive behavioral interventions and supports to address specific challenges faced by students, a program that led to the founding of the Mindfulness and Homework clubs.
"Every single morning, whether it was raining, snowing or dead heat, Dr. Vancas was out there greeting each and every one of our students. It is remarkable," said district parent Ruthie Sommers who expressed how grateful she was that her son had Dr. Vancas as a principal.
"Those kindergarteners when they would come to school, they were petrified. He made it easy," she said.
Vancas is well known for his ability to engage students and parents and consistently did so throughout his career, both as a principal and assistant superintendent. As principal, he held monthly parent-child breakfasts, career education initiatives and otherwise made interpersonal connections with parents.
"Kris always made you feel like you were the most important person when you were speaking to him. His full attention was given to you. And the best way I can describe Kris was when he smiled at you, he gained your friendship; a positive greeting, he gained your trust; and with his spoken word he gained your admiration," said Coach Brown who thanked him for supporting his family and the Bellefonte community.
"[Dr. Vancas is] one of the kindest, most professional people I have ever met" said board member Donna Smith. Other board members described Dr. Vancas as an "asset to the district" and commended him for his unwavering warmth and optimism.
"I would just like to thank all of you for coming tonight. It really does mean a lot to me... I have been very blessed and very lucky to be in this district for as long as I've been in this district. The good news is you're going to still see me around town and at the sporting events--you name it. I'll be the same guy I've always been. I just won't be sitting right here,'' said Vancas.
The board also recognized Bellefonte Area High School Principal Mike Feddisson for being named Pennsylvania Principal of the Year for 2024-2025 . He is the third District administrator to be honored by the Pennsylvania Principals Association, joining the ranks of Dr. Vancas and Marion-Walker Elementary School Principal Karen Krisch. The recipient, which is chosen by a committee of peers, is honored at both the state and national levels.
"It is a testament to this admin team that we have remarkable leaders... I was fortunate to read the write up and the whole time I was reading I was thinking, oh yeah, he does that. Oh yeah, he does that. Sometimes, we get so bogged down by the day to day running of the District that we don't realize the wonderful things we are doing," said Superintendent Tammy Burnaford.