For LPS and West Amwell
By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
Two local school boards have received a lot of interest in the job opening for a shared superintendent.
Forty-three people requested applications for the job-share at Lambertville Public School and West Amwell Elementary School.
Seventeen people returned completed applications that meet or exceed requirements, according to Peter Gasparro, West Amwell school board president.
The two boards will interview applicants in mid-June.
The 18 members of the two boards are reviewing the applications and will mutually determine a short list of candidates.
The boards at LPS and West Amwell began the search this spring to find a replacement for Todd Fay, who is leaving at the end of this school year. Dr. Fay is heading to the Methacton School District in Pennsylvania as director of pupil services.
Dr. Fay began his arrangement with the two local schools on July 1, 2007, after working solely for West Amwell for more than four years. The two districts shared the cost of his salary, and he divided his time between the two school buildings.
Both boards call the arrangement they had with Dr. Fay a success. Based on how well it worked for them, they agreed to partner again as they search for a new superintendent to take his place.
In a statement released jointly by Mr. Gasparro and LPS President Grant Miller, they said, “Some tend to view change as an obstacle. We like to consider it an opportunity. Both districts were blessed to have had the services of Dr. Fay for extended periods. However we are confident that we can find the right leader to help us continue to advance the academic achievements of our districts.”
The search began with a subcommittee comprised of Mr. Gasparro, Mr. Miller and three board members each from LPS and West Amwell. To assist in the search process, they retained the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) as a consultant.
Led by the NJSBA, the districts held a “community forum night” for parents of both districts to gain community input. The NJSBA also held a forum for the schools’ staff.
After developing criteria for the position, the schools ran advertisements in a newspaper and in a number of “NJSBA partner websites,” according to the school districts. The ad ran for two weekends in late April and early May. The deadline for the return of all applications was May 27.

