Bucks County Intermediate Unit
Media Contact: Rebecca Smith
Supervisor of Communications
For Immediate Release:
The Bensalem Township School District Board of School Directors will vote on the appointment of Victoria Velazquez, Ed.D. as the district’s next District Superintendent on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Dr. Velazquez has served the district for more than 12 years, including as Interim Superintendent since April 2026.
Her nomination follows a search facilitated by Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) that drew 27 applicants from five states. Dr. Velazquez brings more than 26 years of experience as a public educator and educational leader, along with a connection to Bensalem as both a district leader and the parent of a district graduate.
Following approval by the Board of School Directors, Dr. Velazquez will be sworn in as District Superintendent on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
About Dr. Victoria Velazquez
As Interim Superintendent, Dr. Velazquez has worked with the Board and district leaders on organizational systems, fiscal stewardship, school safety, communication, and teaching and learning during a consequential period for the district. She has also continued to build partnerships with families and the broader Bensalem community.
Her appointment as Superintendent represents a continuation of a professional and personal commitment to Bensalem Township School District that began more than a decade ago. During her 12 years with the district,
Dr. Velazquez has served in several leadership roles, including Assistant to the Superintendent for K-12 Administration, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction/Federal Programs, and Supervisor of Data and Assessment/Federal Programs. Prior to joining Bensalem, she served as a principal in both the School District of Philadelphia and the Norristown Area School District.
Dr. Velazquez has said that her approach to leadership centers on relationships, shared responsibility, transparency, and a focus on students. As Superintendent, she plans to work with the Board, staff, students, families, and community partners to strengthen academic opportunities, district operations, fiscal sustainability, safety, and communication in support of the district’s Engaged-Connected-Strong vision.
Her involvement in Bensalem extends beyond the schools. Dr. Velazquez serves as the president of the Bensalem Rotary Club, participates on the Bensalem Township Police Department Youth Aid Panel, and serves on the Bucks County Children and Youth Advisory Board. She is also an adjunct professor, teaching graduate coursework to aspiring school leaders.
Dr. Velazquez holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Temple University, a Principal Certification from Drexel University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy and Superintendent Certification from Seton Hall University.
Statement from Dr. Deborah King, Bensalem Township Board President
“As Board President, it has been an honor to participate in the important process of selecting the next Superintendent of the Bensalem Township School District. Throughout this process, and through my experience working alongside Dr. Victoria Velazquez, I have witnessed her lead with humility, diligence, integrity, and a genuine love for Bensalem. She knows this community, she believes in this community, and she understands that our students must remain at the heart of every decision we make. Her leadership is grounded not in a desire for recognition, but in a deep commitment to service. I look forward to working alongside Dr. Velazquez as we begin this next chapter for the Bensalem Township School District."
Statement from Karen Winters, School Board Director and Chair of the Superintendent Search Committee
“It was my honor and privilege to chair the Bensalem Township Board of School Directors' Superintendent Search Committee. We had many dedicated and qualified applicants. After a thorough interview process that lasted several weeks, Dr. Velazquez distinguished herself as the clear choice. Her qualifications are exceptional. Additionally, Dr. Velazquez's commitment to our community and district was evident through every stage of the process. Dr. Velazquez demonstrated a clear vision for the future of our schools and a deep understanding of the needs of our students. It was apparent that students were at the heart of her decisions. Choosing a Superintendent is one of the most influential decisions that a Board makes. I am thrilled with the decision and look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Velazquez to create even greater opportunities for our students."
Statement from Victoria Velazquez, Ed.D.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Bensalem Township School District as District Superintendent. For more than 12 years, Bensalem Township School District has been far more than the place where I work. It is my home, and it is a community I care deeply about and am incredibly proud to serve. My connection to this district is also deeply personal: my daughter is a proud graduate of Bensalem Township School District, and I experienced firsthand as a parent the opportunities, relationships, and support our schools can provide to help our children discover who they are, pursue their dreams, and build a future filled with possibility.
“Becoming Superintendent in Bensalem Township School District is a true honor for me for many reasons, but perhaps none greater than the responsibility of helping ensure that every child who enters our schools has those same opportunities to discover their strengths, dream without limits, find their own path, and leave our district prepared to take the world by storm in whatever way they choose.
“I am profoundly grateful to the Board of Directors for its trust and to our students, staff, families, and community partners who make this district and the Bensalem community so special. I believe our greatest strength is found in our connections to one another, and I look forward to building upon those relationships and working together to create even greater opportunities for every student as we continue the important work ahead together to ensure Bensalem is Engaged-Connected-Strong.”
Swearing-In Ceremony
The Bensalem Township School District will hold a swearing-in ceremony for its new superintendent, Dr. Victoria Velazquez, on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the main entrance lobby of Bensalem High School, 4319 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA.
Students, staff, and community members are invited to attend.
Background on the Superintendent Search Process
At its April 14, 2026 meeting, the Bensalem Township School District Board of School Directors voted to appoint the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) to facilitate the search for the district’s next superintendent. Bucks IU helped develop interview protocols, coordinate logistics, and facilitate interviews. Every decision on interviews and candidate selection rested solely with the Bensalem Township Board of School Directors.
To gather community input early in the process, the district surveyed students, staff, and community members from May 28 through June 8, 2026, asking which qualities and priorities they considered most important in the next superintendent. The survey received 517 responses, and the results were made publicly available. At the Board’s request, Bucks IU also facilitated in-person focus groups at every school to provide additional opportunities for community input.
Bucks IU ran a national search, advertising in local, regional, state, and national publications from June 29 through July 26, 2026. The search drew 27 applicants from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Delaware. The full Board interviewed 11 candidates in a first round.
Four candidates were invited to the second round. One withdrew before the interviews, and the full Board interviewed the remaining three. Each completed a writing prompt upon arrival, followed by an interview. Eight representatives from union groups and PTO/PTA organizations observed these interviews and provided feedback to the Board. They did not participate in decisions about the candidates.
After considering the candidates through both rounds, the Board chose to put forward Dr. Velazquez for appointment as the district’s next superintendent.
ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Bucks IU):
For more than 55 years, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit has partnered with schools, families, educators, and community organizations to expand opportunities for learners throughout Bucks County. Through exceptional educational programs, innovative professional development, and advanced business and technology services, the Bucks IU helps schools and communities meet the evolving needs of those they serve. Learn more at www.BucksIU.org.