low turnover in district
RFH board has a year to
find new superintendent
Smith credited for
low turnover in district
BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer
Dr. Robert Smith
RUMSON — After an eight-year tenure, Dr. Robert Smith is retiring from his position as Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School superintendent. By all accounts, it will be a difficult job replacing him.
Smith’s retirement will take effect July 1, 2005, giving the school ample time to find a replacement. The one-year lead time was part of Smith’s contract.
Smith, Toms River, has spent more than 37 years working in education, both in the classroom and as an administrator. He served as district superintendent for the past eight years.
Smith said he has big plans for his retirement.
"I am planning to do some educational consulting," he said. "I plan to travel, and I am going to spend more time with my wife to make up for all of those late evening meetings."
Smith is also planning to try his hand at writing fiction.
Don MacNeal, vice president of the RFH Board of Education, had nothing but praise for the soon-to-be retiree.
"He has done wonderful things for the district," said MacNeal, "He has built a great relationship with the staff and union. He built the foundation."
MacNeal was elected to the board seven years ago, after Smith had just completed his first year.
"Eight years ago there was a lot of criticism and concern from the community about the school," said MacNeal. "There was significant turnover in administration and a lack of stability. He [Smith] brought stability to the district."
Smith returned the kind words in a press release announcing his retirement, calling this job "the best I’ve ever had."
The credit that the community gives him for the work he has done, he returns to the community, saying that the Board of Education and the staff of the school are responsible for the success of the district.
The board will begin the process of searching for a replacement this fall, according to MacNeal.
The first step will be for the board to determine the criteria it will seek in a new superintendent. MacNeal said this initial step could take a few months to complete.
The board expects to begin soliciting candidates after the first of the year.
MacNeal said the long lead time for the search for a new administrator will allow the board time to be selective when deciding on Smith’s successor.
Board President Anne Rossbach had only praise for Smith.
"He’s so highly respected within the community," said Rossbach. "I have found it extremely enjoyable to work with him."
Rossbach has been on the board for six years, and served for six years before that on the Rumson Board of Education. Although she was not involved in the process of hiring Smith, she will be involved in choosing his replacement.
"I’d like to find someone with a lot of what Dr. Smith already has," said Rossbach. "Someone who has an interest to serve the whole community."
Rossbach echoed MacNeal in her praise of Smith for bringing stability to the community.
"We were going through administrators at a rate of every six months," said Rossbach. "Since Dr. Smith came, we’ve had the same principal and vice principal for about four and a half years."
Smith also brought up the idea of stability, but does not take all of the credit for himself.
"I have always tried to foster the idea of a team operation," said Smith. "No one person has all the answers. The secret of success is to get everyone to contribute."
"I am sad to see him go," said Rossbach.