Marc Bertrando named as Henderson Principal

Marc Bertrando with an architect's rendering of the finished addition to Henderson High School in the background.

Marc Samuel Bertrando, formerly an assistant principal at Henderson High School, has been appointed principal to succeed David Berkes, who is retiring.

Mr. Bertrando served in the assistant principal’s position since 2001. Prior to that, he was an English and public speaking teacher at East High School for eight years.

His appointment, made by the School Board at its August 16 meeting, followed an extensive regional search by a Selection Committee made up of the Henderson community and district staff. Central Office administrators, a School Board member, two Henderson teachers, a representative of the Henderson Parent-Teacher Organization, and Henderson’s student representative to the School Board served on the committee.

As part of the selection process, Mr. Bertrando met with the Henderson staff, students, and parents as a finalist for the position. Feedback on his candidacy was overwhelmingly positive at that time.

"Articulate, hands-on, energetic, enthusiastic, dynamic, and well organized” were among the adjectives used to describe Mr. Bertrando by those who attended the finalist’s session and completed feedback forms.

"He clearly understands all of the pieces of being an instructional leader within the full community of Henderson, and he just as clearly understands how to engage that community in the immense collaborative work needed to make our school truly great,” a staff member wrote.

Michael J. DiBartolomeo, the district’s director of secondary education, also lauded Mr. Bertrando’s skills.

"Henderson faces some major challenges in the years ahead, not the least of which is the completion of the current additions and renovations project,” Mr. DiBartolomeo noted. “Marc Bertrando has the knowledge of the Henderson community and the leadership experience necessary to effectively guide the students and staff through this construction period.”

"His responsibilities go far beyond the construction project, however,” Mr. DiBartolomeo continued. “He has proven skills as an educational leader. I am confident he will foster and strengthen the current climate of excellence in all aspects of the Henderson program.”

"This coming year, we will mark an important milestone in the construction process,” Mr. Bertrando commented. “We will be opening a beautiful new addition that will give the Henderson building a single main entrance for the first time. I’m looking forward to that and to all of the building improvements that will follow.”

"I also hope to continue and advance the traditions of excellence that have made B. Reed Henderson High School an extraordinary success,” he said. “Finally, I would like to express my appreciation for the support I have received not only from my family and friends, but also from Henderson’s students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community during the interview process. This collective epitomizes the reasons I am passionate about leading this school.”

In addition to his teaching and administrative experience in West Chester, Mr. Bertrando taught language arts at the Talley Junior High School in Wilmington, Delaware. He has served as a consultant to the Springfield Area School District and the Chester County Intermediate Unit, conducting two-day workshops on the successful implementation of co-teaching in a regular education classroom.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Master of Education Degree, and his Principal’s Certification from Pennsylvania State University. He is enrolled in the Doctor of Education Program at Immaculata University.

Mr. Bertrando, his wife and children reside in the Borough of West Chester.

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