He is Thomas Butler, a Martinsville resident whose 46-year career in public education includes 15 years as superintendent of the Chester School District
By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education has hired an interim superintendent of schools for the 2008-2009 school year.
He is Thomas Butler, a Martinsville resident whose 46-year career in public education includes 15 years as superintendent of the Chester School District.
The school board voted unanimously Monday night to hire Dr. Butler, who will be paid on a per diem (daily) rate. That rate is still being negotiated, board President Linda Mitchell said.
Dr. Butler will replace Judith A. Ferguson, who has resigned effective Aug. 31. Dr. Butler will begin his 10-month appointment the next day.
Dr. Ferguson has been at Hopewell Valley four years. She started here as an interim superintendent herself.
Dr. Butler obtained his doctorate in educational administration from Rutgers. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 and was a school principal and assistant superintendent of schools in the Chatham district for five years.
He was a superintendent of the Haworth district before assuming the superintendency of the Chester district in 1980. He kept that job until 1984. Since then he has filled numerous – nearly 20 — interim superintendent positions.
Dr. Butler has been a member of the Martinsville First Aid Squad for 31 years. He is EMT (emergency medical technician) instructor.