No deadline for decision in Chesterfield
Vanessa S. Holt
CHESTERFIELD — Interviews for a new chief school administrator have narrowed the field to a “final four” for another round of interviews this week, but the timeline for a final decision is not yet certain.
“If the board doesn’t feel they have the right person, they’ll do it again,” said John Hydock, Chesterfield Township Elementary School interim administrator and former Mansfield Township superintendent.
Mr. Hydock came out of his retirement in October to take the interim position, when former chief administrator Mark Mullen was dismissed by the Board of Education.
The board received about a dozen applications for the position of chief school administrator advertised in January, said Mr. Hydock.
The seven best-qualified applicants were interviewed March 13 and 15 by a search committee that consists of the five Board of Education members, two members of the community, two staff members, and two members of the regional administrative staff.
The new chief school administrator will have the combined duties of principal of Chesterfield Township Elementary School, and superintendent of the school district, which serves 270 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Mr. Hydock said the right candidate should have some experience as a principal, and be ready to assume the responsibilities of the entire district, which would include working with the state and the county. The four candidates being interviewed this week are all principals of New Jersey schools.
The ideal situation would be to have the new administrator begin work in May, said Mr. Hydock.
“Initially, I felt I’d like to see someone come into the district in May and be able to get acclimated in the position,” he said. “They could get to know the staff and the students, and the operation of the district before September, to give them a head start. That’s what I was shooting for.”
The selection could be made as soon as the second round of interviews are complete.
Mr. Hydock, who retired in 1996 after 27 years as superintendent of the Mansfield Township School District, will return to his retirement when a new administrator is selected, but he said he has enjoyed his time as interim.
“It has been good for me and I enjoyed the staff and the students here,” said Mr. Hydock. “The board and community have been supportive.”