Superintendent
Email Dr. Mark A. Blanchard

Mark Blanchard has served as the Superintendent for the Cumberland Valley School District since December 2023. During his career in public education, which spans more than two decades, Dr. Blanchard has served as an English teacher and baseball coach at Central Dauphin High School, as high school principal both at Gettysburg Area High School and Cumberland Valley High School, and as assistant superintendent with Cumberland Valley. 

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from Clarks Summit University before earning his teaching certificate, Master’s degree, and administrative certificates from Penn State University. His academic work is in the area of education policy, earning a doctorate in Education Policy Studies from The George Washington University in 2019. His dissertation explored how black students access and experience Advanced Placement coursework and the role that school districts have in shaping that experience.

Outside of his work, Mark volunteers with the Gettysburg Foundation, working as a docent at the George and Elizabeth Spangler Farm among other activities. He is currently the vice-president of the Harrisburg Civil War Round Table and regularly travels the country touring and giving tours of significant Civil War sites. In addition, Mark and his wife Renee are involved in their local church and are currently cheering their four children through high school, college, and adulthood.