Dan Seiter: ‘We could be looking at a possible vote on regionalization by the end of year, and believe an interim is the best option’
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
WEST AMWELL — The South Hunterdon Regional School District has a new interim superintendent, Joanne Calabro, a former superintendent of the Fort Lee district.
Dr. Calabro replaces Nancy Gartenberg, who is now the superintendent of Montgomery Township School District in Somerset County. Her resignation was accepted by the South Hunterdon Regional Board of Education on June 21.
Dr. Calabro’s contract runs from Aug. 1 (Wednesday) until June 30, 2013. The school board hired her on July 19.
”We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Calabro join our administrative team. She brings a wealth of experience in education to our district, having recently retired as superintendent of schools at Fort Lee Public Schools,” said Dan Seiter, school board president.
”As with any candidate under consideration to lead SHRHS, our review of Joanne’s professional experience was thorough and exhaustive. We believe Joanne brings the right leadership skills, passion and professionalism to move our district forward. We are confident Joanne will immediately advance the momentum in educational excellence and student achievement set by Superintendent Nancy Gartenberg,” Mr. Seiter said.
Dr. Calabro was appointed as interim superintendent at the school board’s July 19 meeting.
Why an interim superintendent?
”Regionalization efforts are well under way. We could be looking at a possible vote on regionalization by the end of year, and believe an interim is the best option. Interim CSA candidates typically come with substantial prior superintendent experience — that’s exactly what we found in Dr. Calabro. She has the background and leadership skills that will allow us to continue our district goals without interruption,” said Mr. Seiter.
”We will be prepared to move forward with a permanent superintendent placement once the direction on regionalization is resolved. For the immediate future, our interim will serve as a bridge, either to regionalization if the voters so choose, or toward SHRHS progress if regionalization does not move forward,” said Mr. Seiter.
Dr. Calabro was superintendent of the Fort Lee district from 2005 to 2008, when she retired. Prior to that, she was superintendent of the Hackettstown district for four years. Before that, she held interim superintendent posts in the Alpine and Green Township districts, for one and two years respectively.
She began her career in education as an elementary teacher in Belleville, where she taught from 1970 to 1975.
Dr. Calabro earned her doctorate in education at Nova University in Miami, Florida. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees are from Kean College.
ALSO on July 19, the school board picked a new member, Maura Buckenberger, a West Amwell representative, to replace Nicole Claus, who moved from West Amwell to Lambertville. She was board president.
Ms. Buckenberger grew up in Binghamton, New York, and moved to New Jersey after graduating from The State University of New York at Oswego. Her family includes her husband John and two children, Renee and Luke. They have been residents of West Amwell for the past 10 years. She is a sales representative for Lehigh Fluid Power, Lambertville.
To keep the seat, Ms. Buckenberger, a resident of Terrell Road, will have to run in November for a two-year unexpired term.
To replace Ms. Claus, the board elected Mr. Seiter, of Lambertville, as president. Mr. Seiter, who was board vice president, also is chairman of the South Hunterdon County School District Regionalization Committee.
Now serving as vice president is Celeste Mosby, of West Amwell.

