24 people applied for job at helm of new district
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
A superintendent of schools for the new South Hunterdon Regional School District (SHRSD) is expected to be hired and introduced to the community on June 16, said a field representative of the N.J. School Boards Association (NJSBA), which is working with the district on the process of hiring the superintendent.
The deadline for applying to the superintendent’s position was April 21, and 24 applications were received, said NJSBA field rep Mary Ann Friedman, who met with district residents at South Hunterdon Regional High School on April 22. The purpose of the meeting was to get input from residents on what qualities they want the superintendent to have. Those unable to attend the meeting were able to have their say by going to www.surveymonkey.com/s/SouthHunterdonRegionalSchoolDistrict
At the April 22 meeting, Ms. Friedman said that, after she confers with the school board on the applications that have been received for the superintendent position, the board will begin interviewing applicants on May 20. After three rounds of interviews, a finalist will be selected and contract negotiations will begin. By May 30, the school board must submit a proposed contract with that finalist to the county superintendent of schools, whose approval of the contract is required.
At the April 22 meeting, Ms. Friedman said that, due to confidentiality issues, the interviews of candidates will not be open to the public.
At that meeting, residents were asked questions about what they want from a new superintendent in terms of background, training, experience, leadership style and personal characteristics. Ms. Friedman transcribed their answers onto her laptop, then checked with the residents to see that they were satisfied on how she had transcribed them. The answers from the residents at the meeting, and from residents who participate in the online survey, will be used by the school board as an aid in hiring the sort of superintendent residents want, Ms. Friedman said.
At the meeting residents said they want a superintendent who will be an effective communicator, very visible in the community, transparent in his or dealings with staff, students and the community, able to make tough decisions and stick by them and able to handle an emergency or crisis situation.
Ms. Friedman said the application for the process for the superintendent position is “very detailed” and rigorous.
”The file on each application will get to be an inch thick or more,” she said. “The application includes essay questions, a copy of the applicant’s last professional evaluation and copies of two professional evaluations, one positive and one negative, written by the applicant.”

