Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William R. Shirk, Jr., joined the Pottsgrove School District on January 14, 2014 as the Assistant Superintendent. He came to Pottsgrove from the Upper Perkiomen School District in Red Hill, Pennsylvania, where he held the position of High School Principal for eight years. Prior to assuming his current role, Dr. Shirk served as Assistant Principal in the Spring-Ford School District and the Upper Perkiomen School District for five years and three years respectively. His school district experience also includes fourteen years of teaching in elementary and secondary grades.

Dr. Shirk's most notable Pottsgrove achievements to date include the institution of a district wide curriculum renewal process consisting of a comprehensive framework for continual curriculum evaluation.  In addition, Advanced Placement courses and co-curricular programs have been expanded to meet the ever-changing needs of students.  Other integral efforts like staff trainings in the areas of behavior management, crisis management, and encouraging a growth mindset have been introduced. From a technology perspective, investment in network infrastructure upgrades have provided our students with access to and instruction in 21st Century learning.

He also created a “Foundation for Success” philosophy encompassing the following tenets: (1) emphasizing responsibility, respect, and safety, (2) setting high standards across all academic, behavioral, and social maturity levels, (3) fostering collaborative problem-solving, and (4) leaving no student, parent, or colleague behind. Additionally, he is a proponent of advancing student achievement through a holistic approach that produces a more accurate indicator of students’ growth, and closing the achievement gap among historically underperforming subgroups.

From a budgetary standpoint, current allocation challenges have been met through diligent efforts by the school board, administration, staff, and community. In order to maintain our fiscal responsibility, the Pottsgrove School District has championed modest tax increases over the last three years; our 3-year average tax increase is 0.31%, substantially below the Act 1 Index.

Dr. Shirk earned his Educational Doctorate Degree from Immaculata University. His Master's Degree and undergraduate degree are from Temple University in Philadelphia. He currently lives with his wife, Susie, and has two grown sons.

To contact Dr. Shirk, please e-mail him at wshirk@pgsd.org or call 610-327-2277.