By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — The Board of Education appointed David Aderhold Wednesday night to succeed Superintendent Victoria Kniewel, who is resigning to take another superintendent position in Scarsdale, N.Y. starting July 1.
The decision to promote the assistant superintendent was unanimous as all nine board members quickly cast their votes in favor of making Mr. Aderhold the new head of the district. Board Vice President Robert Johnson, who recently resigned, celebrated his last board meeting by making the first motion for Mr. Aderhold’s appointment.
”There is nothing more important a board does than select a superintendent,” said Mr. Johnson. “I am doubly honored and happy to make the first motion and acknowledge the board’s past good sense in recommending Victoria and its recommendation to introduce a contract with Dave.”
Both the board and the audience – a group of a little more than 10 people – cemented the vote with a round of applause. A few residents used the public comment period to express their approval of the decision.
”Dave has our support; we’ve had a great working relationship with him for the past four years and I think he will make a great transition,” said Debbie Baer, the president of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Education Association.
West Windsor Councilwoman Linda Geevers also thought Mr. Aderhold was a good fit judging by the reputation he has earned in his four-year tenure in the district.
”I’ve heard all sorts of great comments from the residents and parents in the district,” she said. “I’m excited to have you on the board.”
According to Mr. Aderhold’s new five-year contract, he will remain at his current salary of $163,200 until July 1 when the contract officially goes into effect. Then he will get about an 8 percent raise, bringing his new salary to the state cap maximum at $177,500, which is based on the district’s enrollment of about 10,000 students.
If Ms. Kniewel had stayed in the district, she eventually would have had to take a $17,000 pay cut to her $192,676 salary to comply with the state cap.
Ms. Kniewel did not make any comments at the board meeting.
Mr. Aderhold expressed excitement about his new position and thanked the board for the opportunity.
”It’s been my privilege to have served the community for four years and to have the distinct honor to be named the next superintendent,” said Mr. Aderhold. “With much appreciation and great enthusiasm, I will enter as your next superintendent and I thank you all.”
Mr. Aderhold came to the district in 2009 as an assistant superintendent for pupil services/planning and was promoted to deputy superintendent in 2011. Prior to his time at West Windsor-Plainsboro, he has served as a teacher, assistant principal and high school principal in other school districts.
