By: Casha Caponegro
The conclusion of this school year will mean the conclusion of Walter Pudelko’s five-year run as the Cranbury School business administrator.
Mr. Pudelko announced April 26 that he will be leaving the Cranbury school district on June 24 for the larger Haddonfield school district.
"I’m happy for Walt, but a little sad for us," said Chief School Administrator Carol Malouf at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
"We wish great success to Walt," said board President Joan Rue on Tuesday. "We have valued all of his contributions to us, especially in the last few months as we dealt with finding a new chief school administrator and a bond referendum."
Before coming to Cranbury, Mr. Pudelko worked as business administrator for the Brooklawn school district, which he described as about one-third the size of the Cranbury school district. Mr. Pudelko said the Haddonfield district, on the other hand, is over double the size of the Cranbury district.
"Cranbury has been an excellent opportunity for me over the last five years to develop skills and contribute to the school district," said Mr. Pudelko.
"In Cranbury I have been exposed to all aspects of the school, including business administration, budgets, business office functions, personnel, management, construction, buildings and grounds, transportation and food service," said Mr. Pudelko. "All of those things will be present in Haddonfield, on a larger scale."
In addition, Mr. Pudelko said he looks forward to a shorter commute to work from his Gloucester County residence, which is about 18 miles from Haddonfield.
Cranbury School officials advertised the job opening and will accept applications until May 15. The board hopes to hire an interim replacement to serve as the school business administrator until a permanent one has been chosen.
"My advice for the new business administrator is to get to know all of the different people in the school, the administrators, teachers, custodians and secretaries," said Mr. Pudelko. "Understand what it is they do, how you fit into the picture and how you can contribute to further the excellence of the Cranbury school district."
