Residents asked to suggest candidates for BRSD superintendent
By: Molly Petrilla
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP The school district is in the earliest stages of a search for a new superintendent, and it is asking residents for help.
At 7:30 p.m. Monday, a meeting is scheduled in the new Ward Avenue high school library, where community members can voice their priorities, concerns and opinions regarding the search for John Polomano’s replacement.
The meeting is the first step in the search process, which officials said will include advertising the position in October, starting interviews in late December, and appointing a new superintendent in April. (Mr. Polomano plans to retire June 30.)
During the meeting, Gwen Thornton who works as a field service representative for the New Jersey School Boards Association will explain the search process and compile information from residents about local issues and the qualities of an ideal superintendent.
Ms. Thornton said she will create a report from these opinions, which she will then share with the Board of Education.
According to school board President Anthony DiLemme, the meeting is also meant to help assemble a search committee comprised of administrators, staff and various community members.
"They’ll probably be involved in the initial levels of interviewing candidates," he said, adding that the board members will mainly participate in the final interview rounds.
Both Mr. DiLemme and Ms. Thornton noted the importance of the meeting, and expressed their hopes for a substantial turnout.
"I really believe that the more information we can gather from the community, the better the search will ultimately be, because we will have a better sense of what the community’s concerns are and what they’re looking for in the new superintendent," Ms. Thornton said.
While Mr. DiLemme said the school board often looks for certain characteristics in its administrators including their degree of education and experience he also said he hopes the community will "give us fresh ideas."
"The reason for this meeting is to give the public and the staff an opportunity to voice what they think," he added. "Then we’ll incorporate that into our ideas and put together a profile."
"It’s very important for us and for the board to have a good idea of what the community is thinking," Ms. Thornton said. "You want to build on your strengths and you want to address your concerns and you want to find the individual who has the skill sets that will be a match."