Freehold Twp. superintendent to pursue university position
Peter J. Bastardo’s
final day in district
will be Aug. 31
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Superin-tendent of Schools Peter J. Bastardo has notified the Board of Education that he will be submitting his resignation for retirement purposes at the next board meeting on May 13. His last day in the K-8 school district will be Aug. 31.
Bastardo has been superintendent of schools in Freehold Township for seven years. He has spent a total of 32 years in public education in New Jersey as a teacher, principal, director in the state Department of Education, and as an assistant superintendent and superintendent in Middlesex and Monmouth counties for the last 13 years.
School board President Grace McMillan said, "Dr. Bastardo has been an excellent superintendent and has brought the district to an outstanding level of achievement during his tenure in Freehold Township. His accomplishments are both noteworthy and lengthy; these accomplishments have helped give Freehold Township schools a statewide reputation for excellence. He is personally and professionally recognized as an outstanding educational leader on a statewide and national level. He will truly be missed by all who have worked with him."
According to a press release from the school district, Bastardo is retiring from the New Jersey public school system, but not completely from education.
He has decided to continue his professional career on the university level. He has received several higher education offers and will make his decision within the month.
"There comes a time when you need to move to the next step of your life and this feels like the right time," he said in the press release. "Freehold Township is a great school district and community. You cannot find better staff, parents, board of education, Township Committee and, of course, students with whom to work. I have been very fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to be superintendent in Freehold Township and to have worked with such caring, talented and supportive groups of people."