By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
WEST AMWELL — Now that Nancy Gartenberg has been appointed superintendentof the Montgomery Township School District in nearby Somerset County, the South Hunterdon Regional Board of Education is looking for a new superintendent.
Ms. Gartenberg’s five-year contract with Montgomery, OK’d recently, takes effect Aug. 1. However, as of South’s June 21 meeting — the date Ms. Gartenberg’s resignation was accepted — she can leave South any time between now and Sept. 7, as permitted by South’s board — as per a “contractual obligation clause” of 90-days.
And, the Montgomery contract says in part: “The board hereby employs, and the superintendent hereby accepts, employment” as superintendent “for the period beginning or about Aug. 1, 2012 or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable and ending June 30, 2017, for a term of five years . . .”
On Tuesday, Ms. Gartenberg explained that the “or as soon” clause is there because “I could potentially stay (at South) through Sept. 7.”
The Montgomery board selected Ms. Gartenberg after 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.
THE ANTICIPATED start date for the new South leader is “on or about Aug. 1,” according to a notice on South’s website.
The closing date for receipt of applications is July 10.
The board is seeking “an educational leader with a vision of academic excellence and a commitment to providing a learning environment designed to meet the needs and interests of a talented and diverse student population.”
South serves approximately 430 students in grades seven-12 and is “supported by a community with high expectations for its students, faculty, and administrative leadership,” according to a notice.
The successful candidate “will possess the following: New Jersey School Administrator Certificate or Eligibility; New Jersey Principal Certificate; experience as a superintendent/assistant superintendent; experience as a principal; administrative experience in a seven-12 district (preferred); demonstrated success in the areas of curriculum, finance, personnel management/human resources, public relations, teacher evaluations, professional development planning; strong leadership, team-building, and conflict-resolution skills; knowledge and experience in applying current educational research and state-of-the art instructional practices; and experience in No Child Left Behind-related achievement measures and school-wide performance gains.”
For more information about the district, go to: www.shrhs.org.
Qualified candidates may email a cover letter, resume and New Jersey administrative certificate as PDF in confidence to: Kerry Sevilis, school business administrator, 301 Mt. Airy-Harbourton Road, Lambertville, 08530.

