Dr. Wagner Marseille, former superintendent of the Cheltenham School District, and the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (Delaware County) “have mutually agreed to pursue an amicable conclusion to Dr. Marseille’s service as district superintendent”, according to a letter to the district community sent on Friday morning.

A special board meeting was held on Thursday to vote on a separation agreement for Dr. Marseille, the Inquirer reported. The board named Jim Scanlon, a former West Chester superintendent, as the interim superintendent.

The mutual agreement stems from the Haitian native’s ongoing troubles with district parents, some of whom say he “has disrespected administrators and teachers and is threatening to undermine the highly ranked district.”

Dr. Marseille, who left Wyncote in July 2021 after accepting the position, has been the subject of a petition with 270 signatures, along with a series of letters and social media posts since July. Some feel the district has seen a deteriorating morale during his tenure vis-à-vis administrators leaving, teachers retiring early, a teachers’ contract impasse, and accusations of excessive spending, the Inquirer said.

An excerpt from the petition:

The administration led by Dr. Marseilles is not leading with our shared values. We have witnessed a culture of support and collegiality amongst our administrators, teachers and staff erode over the past two years.” It includes a suggestion to conduct “a formal, independent, evaluation of Dr. Marseilles performance with emphasis on his ability to create a supportive and collegiate work environment.

Dr. Marseille served Cheltenham schools from 2015 to 2021.

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