Principal tapped as next J’burg superintendent

Shirley Bzdewka will take
over for Richard Ballard

By jamie dougher
Staff Writer

Principal tapped
as next J’burg
superintendent
Shirley Bzdewka will take
over for Richard Ballard
By jamie dougher
Staff Writer

The Jamesburg Board of Education has promoted its elementary school principal to the position of schools superintendent.

The board named Shirley Bzdewka, principal of the John F. Kennedy School, to the position Monday. She will take over for Richard Ballard, who left in late June to become superintendent in a Burlington County school district.

Also last week, the school board appointed Al Perno, vice principal at JFK school, to replace Bzdewka.

"I’m very excited to be able to continue the good work that was done by my predecessor," Bzdewka said. "We have a dedicated Board of Education, hard-working school teachers and a supportive school community. I’m looking forward to continuing to be a part of this community."

Bzdewka will receive a raise in salary, from $91,000 to $102,500.

Board President Don Peterson said the board wanted to promote someone from inside district.

"The board was looking to maintain some continuity in the district and someone familiar with the issues that the district is facing," he said.

Because Ballard vacated the position on short notice, the board also wanted to move quickly in choosing its next leader.

"The consensus of the board was to move forward with the in-house promotion," Peterson said.

Bzdewka said that since she is familiar with the school district, it will be easier for her to adjust to her new position.

"An in-house promotion helps you make the transition easier for the teachers and for the children," she said.

The board voted 7-2, with Peterson and Tom Bodall dissenting.

Peterson said he had hoped the board would seek other applicants in its choice for Ballard’s successor rather than rush to make a decision.

"I would have preferred that the process had been broader in scope," he said. "But I have no doubt that Mrs. Bzdewka and Mr. Perno will do a fine job."

Peterson said their experience working together at the school should bode well for success in their respective positions.

"Hopefully the working relationship they established will work favorably in this new situation," he said.

Bzdewka will take on Ballard’s job as both superintendent and principal of Grace M. Breckwedel Middle School. She said the dual position will not be an obstacle for her because she also was the director of curriculum at JFK.

"I’m used to long hours and hard work," she said.

Bzdewka said she was a good candidate for the position based on her decision-making skills.

"I make decisions based on what’s ethi­cal, fair and what’s in the best interests of the children, and I would hope that any school district would look for leadership that would have those qualities," she said.

The district has been plagued with un­controllable financial troubles in recent years and has dealt with the loss of teach­ers at the elementary school level, the re­sult of both cuts and resignations. Peterson said Bzdewka will work to address those issues and will do what she believes is best for the children.

Bzdewka said she will combat the fi­nancial issues by keeping an eye on the state Department of Education and work­ing with the Board of Education and the Borough Council.

"Everyone works together because they want things to continue the way they are," Bzdewka said. "It’s always a team effort.

"I think we need to be very proactive and very aware of what’s going on in the state department, and keep Jamesburg on the tip of their tongue," she said.