BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Just days after approving what school leaders described as a “difficult budget,” the Bethlehem Area School District has chosen a new leader.
Monday night, school board members appointed Renato Lajara to succeed retiring Superintendent Jack Silva and lead one of the region’s largest school districts through its next chapter.
The timing is significant.
Lajara takes over at a time when Bethlehem schools face the same financial pressures confronting districts all across Pennsylvania.
Monday night’s vote not only marks the end of Silva’s tenure but also puts a new leader in charge at a critical moment for the district.
With applause from the audience, BASD members officially appointed Lajara as the district’s next superintendent.
Lajara arrives just days after the board approved what district leaders called a difficult budget.
The district recently worked through a multimillion-dollar budget gap driven by rising costs, including employee benefits and charter school tuition expenses.
“It’s bittersweet,” Silva said.
Silva leaves after more than 40 years in education and nearly three years leading Bethlehem Area schools.
“There’s a lot of community connections to maintain and expand, and in that relies a lot for our kids,” Silva said.
Lajara paves the way as the first Latino superintendent in Bethlehem Area School District history.
He worked as the assistant superintendent in North Philadelphia and Kensington.
Lajara is expected to officially take over the job later this summer.