Hengel to leave superintendent’s position
Educator served
Jackson district
for more than 3 decades
Superintendent of Schools Margaret M. Hengel will retire from the Jackson school district on June 30.
As residents went to the polls on Jan. 22 to cast their votes on a $103 million school construction plan, Hengel announced that she will be retiring from the district she has called home for more than three decades.
"There is a time and a season for every purpose," Hengel said, addressing the Board of Education. "My forthcoming marriage on March 15 will bring with it new responsibilities and priorities. My husband and I hope to travel and spend part of the year in our Florida home. It is truly a time for new beginnings."
Hengel’s resignation was received by the board on Jan. 22. Board President Chuck Murphy read the letter to the public at the end of the meeting.
At a recent information session on the proposed referendum, Hengel stressed the importance of approval of the construction plan.
"The safety and security of the students is our highest goal," Hengel said at the session that was attended by almost 200 residents. "When you warehouse students like we are doing, you run the possibility of putting their safety in jeopardy."
Hengel said she was prepared to retire, whatever the outcome of the vote. The referendum was approved by a margin of 10 votes: 3,305 to 3,295.
"I love my job and thrive on the varied challenges each day presents," the superintendent said. "I am purposely submitting my resignation before the outcome of the referendum tonight (Jan. 22) so my motives will not be misconstrued."
Hengel took over the post of superintendent in June 2000 following the retirement of Edward R. Elms. She had worked in Jackson for 31 years before assuming the role of superintendent, according to information provided by the district.
After working in teaching positions in North Jersey schools, Hengel came to Jackson in 1971 as a teacher of English in the former Clayton Middle School.
During her career as an educator in the township, Hengel worked as a guidance counselor at Jackson Memorial High School, a guidance coordinator at Jackson Memorial High School, supervisor of district services for grades six through 12, Jackson Memorial High School vice principal, Carl W. Goetz Middle School and Christa McAuliffe Middle School principal and director of personnel/staff development/affirmative action.
Hengel was assistant superintendent, supervising curriculum and educational services from 1995 to 2000, before assuming the chief administrator’s post on July 1, 2000.
She graduated from Caldwell College in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She earned her master’s degree in counseling and education administration from Seton Hall University in 1971.
She is a doctoral dissertation candidate at Seton Hall and has completed post-graduate studies there and at Fordham University, Harvard University and Georgian Court College.
Each of the school board members accepted her resignation "with regret" and Hengel was given a standing ovation by the audience at the meeting.
"Peg Hengel has been an educator for more than 40 years and has made a wonderful contribution to the children of our community," Murphy said. "Through God’s good graces Peggy has met someone with whom she wants to share the rest of her life. She has more than paid her dues. This is the type of happiness to which she is richly entitled."
The board will now be considering how to approach the search for a new superintendent, but "Hengel’s shoes will be tough to fill," according to Murphy.
She will leave the position at the end of the current school year on June 30.
"Each member of the Jackson community has touched my life in some way," Hengel said. "I leave Jackson rich in relationships and experiences. I believe I have made a difference."