Search for new Hopewell Valley schools superintendent is in high gear

The district has received 37 applications, 24 of them from New Jersey, for the superintendent’s job.

By John Tredrea
   With Hopewell Valley schools Superintendent Robert Sopko set to retire Aug. 1, the school board is working intensely on an effort to hire someone to replace him before the 2003-2004 school year begins.
   Leading the way for the board on the search for a new superintendent has been Carol Larson of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). Ms. Larson recently conferred with Hopewell Valley school board members, school staff members, parents and residents. The idea of those meetings was to produce a portrait of type of individual the district wants as a superintendent.
   "You’re looking for someone with very strong communication and leadership skills," Ms. Larsen reported to the school board during its May 19 meeting, when she sought to sketch the portrait that had emerged from her talks with school and community leaders. "Integrity and honesty and a strong sense of ethics are a must. You’re also looking for someone who has a wonderful sense of humor and is politically savvy."
   While characterizing the Hopewell Valley district as one with many strengths, Ms. Larsen noted that it is a district that has, in recent years, been beset with issues that "divide the community and pull people apart." Those issues include the proposal to build the Back Timberlane project, which includes nine new athletic fields, and the decision to start a high school football program last fall.
   The district has received 37 applications, 24 of them from New Jersey, for the superintendent’s job. Other applications have come from New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, Missouri and other states.
   The school board is expected to narrow the field to six or eight candidates, who will be invited to visit the district and be interviewed by school officials.