By Jenine Clancy, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — The Board of Education appointed a new interim superintendent in an executive session Monday night to take over after the school’s current superintendent steps down on June 30.
James C. Baker, a former superintendent for Middlesex Borough, will begin his term on July 1 and will be interim superintendent for up to two years, according to current Superintendent Edward Forsthoffer III.
”It really depends on how quickly the board can find a suitable replacement,” said Mr. Forsthoffer.
Superintendent Forsthoffer will be taking over as the Bordentown Regional’s new head, and will be begin on or about July 1.
Wednesday night the Bordentown Board of Education awarded a contract to Mr. Forsthoffer with a salary of $157,500, according to district officials. The contract is effective July 1 and extends through June 30, 2017.
Bordentown Interim Superintendent Joseph Miller said the district received word the county superintendent had approved the contract earlier that afternoon, paving the way for the board to consider its own approval.
Mr. Miller also announced a reception would be held prior to the May 21 board meeting to properly introduce Mr. Forsthoffer to that community.
Meanwhile, Mr. Baker said he looked forward to serving in East Windsor.
”I am going to be working with some good people and looking forward to the position,” said Mr. Baker who is coming back to work after retiring last year from Middlesex Borough where he held that position for nine years.
Mr. Forsthoffer said the district has achieved quite a bit in the last four years, but that he was also ready to move on.
”Well, I cited personal reasons,” said Mr. Forsthoffer who gave notice earlier this year. “But quite frankly we had a lot of great things happen here over the past four years: test scores have gone up, we put a number of capital projects in, we’re on the AP honor roll , we have college courses in our high school now. I was just ready for the next challenge.”
Mr. Forsthoffer earned $192,848, in 2012 according to Data Universe. He has been in the pension system since 1987.
Contract info for Mr. Baker was not given by officials at this time.
When asked about heading over to Bordentown, Mr. Forsthoffer was quite nostalgic.
”I live right near there,” he said. “Its kind of funny because many of my childhood milestones have been spent at the Town and Country and Mastoris Diner. So, every time we had an event we seem to end up there. I have been to Bordentown a lot. I am looking forward to going to Bordentown , its similar to East Windsor, it’s a regional district.”
According to the Hearald’s archives, Mr. Forsthoffer served as superintendent of the Hillsborough School District until May 2010 when he accepted the post in East Windsor.
He had been appointed as superintendent in Hillsborough in 2007. Prior to that, he served as Hillsborough Middle School vice principal, Hillsborough Elementary School principal, and as assistant superintendent of personnel in the Monroe Township School District.
”Mr. Forsthoffer is a very good, collaborative leader, who was very communicative, he brought a lot of recognition , recognizing a lot of the students , faculty and administrators and honors the work they have done,” said board member Dr. Christine Harrington.
