The top two administrators in the School District of Lancaster are staying put for the foreseeable future. The school board on Tuesday voted to approve extensions for Superintendent Dr. Damaris Rau and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Carol Powell through the 2024-2025 school year.
“Dr. Rau cares deeply about our students, and under her leadership we are making the district a better place for all kids,” said board president Dr. Edith Gallagher. “She is addressing our challenges head-on, tackling tough problems, and no one has higher expectations for our students and our staff. This contract demonstrates the board’s commitment to her vision.”
Since becoming superintendent in 2015, Dr. Rau enhanced the district’s focus on college and career preparation and oversaw a boom in students taking dual enrollment classes for which they receive high school and college credit. She implemented a host of additional social and emotional supports to enhance the overall well-being of students, which has contributed to a decline in the number of out-of-school suspensions by more than 50 percent. She also created a new Principal Residency Program to develop new school leaders from within the district’s faculty.
“The progress we have made to improve student outcomes is the result of the commitment of an amazing group of people,” Dr. Rau said. “The board of directors, administrators, educators and support staff make the difference for children every day. It is because of this team, and the support of the greater community that I continue to love my job.”
Her ongoing focus areas include equity and inclusion training and developing school leaders to support effective teaching practices. She is a statewide advocate for education funding reform that ensures the neediest schools receive a fair portion of state resources.
“I thank the Board for its continued confidence in my leadership and for enabling our team to pursue the vision of excellence and equity for all,” Dr. Rau added.
Dr. Powell, who joined the district in 2016, leads the Office of Teaching and Learning. She is spearheading the district’s efforts to align curriculum in English language arts and mathematics with the Pennsylvania academic standards, increase the quality of professional learning and raise the rigor of classroom instruction to improve student outcomes.
“Dr. Powell is an intelligent, thoughtful and super-hard-working educator, and we are pleased she will be staying with the district,” Dr. Gallagher said. “I believe we are holding both Drs. Rau and Powell to the highest of standards – to do what is best for all of our students.”