The School Board is still deliberating on the superintendent search.
By: Rebecca Tokarz
The school board was scheduled to meet Wednesday night to evaluate feedback it received from a March 24 in-district visit by superintendent candidate Leigh Byron.
The school board met after the South Brunswick Post’s 5 p.m. deadline to evaluate and discuss all available options concerning the superintendent search and what its next step will be in the process.
"The board remains committed to deliberating and considering all the options available to the board," school board President Harry Delgado said. "I want them (the board) to decide the next step."
The board is seeking a replacement for Sam Stewart, who is retiring June 30 after 11 years as superintendent of South Brunswick schools. The board has been interviewing candidates since January, after seeking input on qualifications from the public.
He said the school board is still in the process of evaluating Dr. Byron and speaking with various people related to his experiences in other districts, which include a term as principal of Princeton High School and superintendent positions in Bound Brook and Holmdel. Dr. Byron’s tenure as schools chief in Holmdel ended with him being reassigned as director of special projects in July 2002 and an agreement that would pay him the last two years of his superintendent salary over a four-year period..
Lt. Delgado, who also serves as a lieutenant for the South Brunswick Police Department, said Wednesday night’s meeting does not mean the selection process is over and the board continues to take into consideration all of the information and feedback it receives.
Lt. Delgado said the announcement that Dr. Byron was visiting the district as a finalist last week was not meant to indicate that the board was ready to offer him a contract.
"The announcement should not be construed as an appointment," he said. "It’s not a done deal."
Lt. Delgado said the school board is interested in the feedback it has received from the community entities that had the chance to meet with Dr. Byron during his visit and the comments they have received from the public.
"The feedback is valuable and we will continue to look at any and all information given," he said.