After a conducting a search over the course of six months, the Monroe Township Board of Education appointed a new superintendent of schools Dec. 4.
Monroe Board of Education President Amy Antelis shakes hands with Kenneth Hamilton last week after he was appointed the district’s new superintendent of schools. Kenneth Hamilton, currently manning the chief position in the Westampton School District in Burlington County, will fill the post.
“I’m thrilled,” board President Amy Antelis said. “I think he’s really going to move this district forward.”
Antelis said all board members agreed that Hamilton was the best candidate in a field of 25 applicants, possessing the background and skills necessary. He will replace former Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie, who resigned June 30 after seven years in the Monroe district.
Joseph King has served as interim superintendent while the search was being conducted. King has been with the school district for 17 years as the director of pupil personnel services. He will continue filling the superintendent’s role until Hamilton comes on board.
Though a date has yet to be set for Hamilton to begin his work as superintendent, he said March would be the latest that the Westampton Board of Education would release him from his position there.
“I’m anxious to get started,” Hamilton said. “I want to devote the first few weeks to getting to know the district and the community.”
After a period of negotiations with district officials in Monroe, Hamilton’s contract was drafted and then approved by Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools Patrick Piegari.
Monroe Board of Education members Marvin Braverman and Rita Ostrager voted against hiring Hamilton, due to their opposition to his starting salary, Antelis said.
“They actually were for him as a candidate, but they had a problem with the salary,” Antelis said.
Hamilton will start in the district with a yearly salary of $184,665. According to Antelis, it is $1,000 more per year than the salary of the highest paid district official, Business Administrator Wayne Hamilton. Ferrie was being paid about $195,000 annually when he left the district.
Like his predecessor, Hamilton holds a doctorate degree. The board initially had the advanced degree as part of the criteria for Ferrie’s replacement, but later eliminated the requirement in order to attract a broader pool of applicants.
Hamilton has served for three years as superintendent in the K-8 Westampton district, which has one middle school and one elementary school. Before that, Hamilton worked as assistant superintendent of schools for the Cherry Hill School District in Camden County. He has also held positions as vice principal and principal at schools in Plainfield, Union County.
Hamilton attended Seton Hall University for his undergraduate studies, and then went on to obtain a master’s degree at Jersey City State University. He earned a doctorate degree at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Later completing studies at both Princeton and Harvard universities, Hamilton went on to serve as a U.S. delegate to China.
The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) conducted the superintendent search for the Monroe board. An initial pool of 25 candidates was narrowed to six, who the board then interviewed and whittled to four. A committee made up of administrators, PTA members, teachers and representatives of the community then interviewed the remaining candidates and sent two potential superintendents back to the board for a selection.
In order to make the final determination, school officials conducted site visits to both candidates’ school districts. They spoke with students, teachers and administrators in order to learn more about the applicants, and finally chose Hamilton.
“The board was very thorough,” Antelis said. “I have to compliment the board on all the time they took to make sure we got the best candidate.”

