Council members still looking for a new superintendent
By: Rebecca Tokarz
Members of the district’s President’s Council agree that a new superintendent of schools should be a strong leader with an outgoing personality who is committed to continuing the high standards found in the school district.
In addition, the group agreed that a new leader should be a strong communicator and work with the township on ways to protect the district’s children.
"The superintendent needs to be someone with strong leadership skills and who has a strong academic background," said Melissa Bilyeu, co-president of the Brooks Crossing Parent Teacher Association.
At the request of the South Brunswick Post on Jan. 28, members of South Brunswick’s President’s Council offered their opinions on what they would like to see in the new superintendent. Comprised of the presidents from the district’s Parent Teacher Association and Organizations, the President’s Council meets monthly with the superintendent to discuss student-related issues, as well as to communicate concerns or issues to the district’s leader.
The district needs to replace current Superintendent Sam Stewart, who announced in April 2002 that he would be leaving his post this June after 11 years in the position. His current salary is $163,500.
The school board held its first round of candidate interviews at the end of January. The board interviewed the top nine of 23 candidates. It is in the process of scheduling a second round for later this month, Personnel Director Mike Lacey said.
After the Board of Education narrows the list to two, candidates will visit the district and meet with teachers, custodians, secretaries and other school officials. A decision is expected to be made by July.
According to the district’s job description, a superintendent is a nonvoting member of the Board of Education, responsible for the operation of the school system. The superintendent plans, directs, supervises, coordinates and evaluates all functions and procedures of the district to ensure that it is functioning within the confines of the law. The superintendent also works on contract negotiations, problem solving and district communications.
Since the announcement of Dr. Stewart’s retirement, the school board has been working with Carole Larsen of the New Jersey School Boards Association to determine the criteria it will use to select a new superintendent.
The school board is looking for someone that will continue the overall strengths of the district, including quality of staff, programs and processes; supportive culture for values and learning; community support and involvement and a focus on planning and support. A new superintendent should be a well-educated person who has dealt with issues similar to those South Brunswick is facing, including a diverse student population and increasing enrollment.
Loretta Jennings, co-president of the PTO at Brooks Crossing, said she hopes the school board finds a replacement that has an open-door policy, a willingness to get to know the students and become actively involved in their lives, even if that means attending an event on a weekend.
"Even in a district this size and this diverse, the kids know who he (Dr. Stewart) is," she said.
Council President Mariann Long said the superintendent’s meetings with the President’s Council are important because "it keeps the communication open in both directions. It gives him an insight to the schools and we give him a feel for what’s going on in the community."
"We need someone with an outgoing personality," she said.
Ms. Bilyeu said the superintendent’s leadership abilities are the most important. She said the new leader needs to be able to juggle a growing community, but continue taking the district in the proper direction academically.
"The district is so big and we’re growing by leaps and bounds. That person needs to have insight to deal with that and continue the academic success," she said.

