Seeking to find out what parents and other members of the public would like to see in the next superintendent of schools of the East Windsor Regional School District, a special forum has been set for Sept. 24 at the Hightstown High School auditorium.
During the forum, which will be held from 7-9 p.m., attendees can share with school district officials the qualities and characteristics they believe the next superintendent of schools should possess.
Consultant Ronald Bolandi, who is leading the superintendent search, plans to meet earlier in the day with administrators, principals, supervisors, teachers, Board of Education members and parent-teacher organization representatives to gather feedback on the qualities they desire to see in the new leader.
The district has been without a permanent superintendent of schools since Aug. 31, when the resignation of Richard Katz, the previous superintendent, took effect. The board would like to have a new superintendent in place by December.
Based on feedback from all of the stakeholders, Bolandi will develop a profile of the skills and attributes the new superintendent should possess – which in turn will guide the interview process. He plans to share his findings with the board at its Oct. 8 meeting.
Once the profile of the next superintendent has been developed, Bolandi said, advertisements will be placed in newspapers, professional journals such as Education Week, and on education-oriented websites.
The initial screening of candidates will be completed in early October. As many as five candidates may be invited for interviews with a school board committee in late October or early November. An additional round of interviews with the finalists will be held later in November.
The goal is to vote on the finalist for the top administrative job in December, Bolandi said.
In the meantime, the board has appointed Michael Dzwonar, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, to serve as the acting superintendent of schools. His appointment took effect Sept. 1.
Dzwonar has worked in the district for 15 years. This is not the first time he has served as the district’s acting superintendent.
Dzwonar has worked as a teacher, principal and administrator in his 34-year career in education, district officials said. He has also been an adjunct professor at the Nathan Weiss Graduate College of Kean University, Union.