MONTGOMERY: School board welcomes new superintendent

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — There wasn’t a seat left open in the Upper Middle School Media Center as over 50 residents watched seven members of the Board of Education unanimously appoint Nancy Gartenberg superintendent of schools for the Montgomery Township School District.
   Board members Humberto Goldoni and Shalini Bhargava were absent.
   ”I’m very enthusiastic and well versed in success. I don’t plan on hitting the ground running, I plan on hitting the ground listening and learning,” said Ms. Gartenberg, who has been the superintendent for the South Hunterdon Regional School District for the past five years. “Thank you for welcoming me and I look forward to getting to know all of you in the future.”
   Ms. Gartenberg will begin her five-year contract starting Aug. 1, which includes a $167,500 base salary.
   She is also eligible to receive up to 5.83 percent, or $9,765, of non-pensionable annual bonuses. This would be for meeting up to three quantitative goals capped at 3.33 percent of the salary and up to two qualitative goals capped at 2.5 percent. All goals must be submitted to the county for review and approval by Sept 1.
   Ms. Gartenberg will receive 45 paid days off a year, with 25 days allotted for vacation, 12 days due to illnesses, three personal days and five bereavement days in the event of a family related death.
   She will also receive medical, dental, prescription and hospitalization insurance for her and her eligible family members.
   The Board of Education selected Ms. Gartenberg after months of a rigorous search and interview process that included extensive public input. She is replacing Superintendent Earl Kim, who is leaving June 30 to take a position in Hawaii.
   ”Ms. Gartenberg is going to bring the same intensity and passion for education that you all share,” board member Andrea Bradley told the crowd. “We have a real winner here.”
   Following Ms. Gartenberg’s appointment, there was a 10-minute break where everyone partook in refreshments and conversations.
   The majority of the audience, which consisted of members and supporters of the Montgomery Township Education Association (MTEA), returned after the interlude to speak about their ongoing dedication to Montgomery students.
   The crowd, clad in white to represent their organization, clapped and cheered as MTEA representatives from Orchard Hill and Village Elementary Schools, the Upper Middle School and the high school described their hard work and love for Montgomery’s schools and students.
   ”In our association pins, white is the color of the Pi symbol — the ancient Greek symbol of education. The color of our shirts is a representation of our commitment to the outstanding education of the children in Montgomery,” said Chris Crow, the president of MTEA.