PENNINGTON: Board has 24 applicants for top school job

Interim Superintendent Thomas Butler’s contract ends June 30

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education has begun evaluating 24 applications for the position of superintendent of schools.
   The new superintendent, when picked, would replace Thomas Butler, who is serving as interim superintendent. He replaced Judith A. Ferguson, who resigned last summer. Dr. Butler’s contract with the board ends June 30.
   Recent district leaders who preceded Dr. Ferguson included Robert Sopko, who spent four years in the Valley as superintendent. He retired in August 2003. He immediately was followed by Dominic (“Nick”) Lorenzetti, who had been serving as assistant superintendent.
   In February 2005, school officials picked Dr. Ferguson, then a 25-year veteran school administrator, as acting superintendent. She was given an eight-month contract and began work March 1, 2005, replacing Mr. Lorenzetti, who submitted his resignation in January 2005. Dr. Ferguson went on to become superintendent. She resigned Aug. 31, 2008.
   The list of applicants was given to the board in closed session Monday night by New Jersey School Boards Association field representative Diane Morris.
   Last fall, Ms. Morris conducted focus group sessions with various district employee groups, community groups and general members of the public for the purpose of gathering information on the qualities and traits desired in the district’s next superintendent.
   The board plans to hold a first round of interviews next month and make a final determination sometime in March. Members have said they hope to have a new superintendent on board by July 1.