7a9b50297c2726c2cc3a1d55d2eeae9d.jpg

CRANBURY: New CSA visits board

By David Kilby, Staff Writer
   CRANBURY — Cranbury School District’s newly appointed chief school administrator, Dr. Susan Genco, will start her new position July 1, and she said the most important things as she starts is listening and learning about Cranbury and its school.
   Tuesday, Dr. Genco met the staff of Cranbury School and attended the first Board of Education meeting since she was appointed CSA.
   ”I don’t think we’ll skip a beat,” said Carol Malouf, interim superintendent of schools, at the meeting Tuesday after mentioning how Dr. Genco will take her place July 1.
   Dr. Genco began her educational career as a school psychologist in the Hazlet School District, then moved on to serve as vice principal of Spring Lake Heights’ K-8 school.
   Afterward, she became principal of Drum Point Elementary School in Brick Township where she worked up until last year when she became principal of Emma Havens Young School, a K-5 school in Brick.
   She received her doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University, Glassboro.
   Dr. Genco is finishing out the school year at Emma Havens Young School and making preparations to begin as Cranbury’s superintendent and principal.
   As Cranbury’s CSA, she will be paid $130,000 a year. Cranbury’s former CSA, John Haney, had a salary of $138,444.80, and Ms. Malouf is paid $600 a day.
   ”The mission and core beliefs of Cranbury School is in line with my own beliefs on education,” Dr Genco said. “I believe in a rigorous curriculum, mutual respect, and I believe developing children in a nurturing environment is important in order for students to express their special gifts and talents.”
   She said the Cranbury School District “truly is a partnership. The school is one of the most important parts of the community. It’s a partnership between parents, the broader community and the school. And when that happens, when people come together to achieve common goals, anything is possible for children.”
   She added, “My goals as I start will be to listen, learn and lead. Listening and learning will be the keys to moving forward these first few years.”
   She said she will be listening to all the partners involved in the process of educating Cranbury’s children while learning about Cranbury School and the community.
   ”In the first few years, it is very important to listen and learn,” she said. “Then we can begin to develop shared goals.”
   She thanked the entire Board of Education, faculty and staff for their “true commitment to children” and their warm welcome.
   ”I can’t thank them enough for how they welcomed me to Cranbury,” she said, adding she enjoyed meeting the staff Tuesday.
   ”They’re really very special,” she said. “They pay attention to what’s important. That’s what helps ease my transition here. When I saw the commitment they have to the children, it made the transition easier.”
   She added she is especially proud of the work she has done in Brick Township where she was born and raised.
   ”I will miss the staff and especially the children,” she said.
   She said her new position in Cranbury is an opportunity to challenge herself, and she is excited about the opportunity.