Communicator, Motivator Wanted for New School Super

Communication skills appear to be among those desired most by the residents of Jefferson Township in a new school superintendent, followed closely by someone who can help raise the morale in the schools, and someone who will take the time to be visible in both the school buildings and the community.

With only a handful of people in attendance, the held a meeting at the on Monday night asking for the public’s input on the next superintendent of schools.

Dr. William Librera of West Hudson Associates, the search firm hired by the board to assist in filling the position, led the meeting.

Librera asked the public to make their comments in three steps: strengths of the community, issues the community is facing and characteristics a new superintendent should have.

“It’s always good to start with strengths because they can be built upon,” he said.

Jefferson High School PTSA president Michelle Cannarozzi started the discussion with her observations on the school’s sense of community.

“I think community is our main strength in this town,” she said. “I think it could be enhanced if the superintendent would be more visible at community events.”

Resident Melissa Senatore agreed.

“In the past, superintendents have been members of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary,” she said. “We seem to have gotten away from that, and I think it would be good to bring it back. This way the schools would know what is going on with the business community in town.”

The main issues that came up during discussions were the perceived drug problem in the schools, early childhood education and test scores.

“We need a more comprehensive drug awareness program in the schools,” Cannarozzi said. “There is only so much that the PTSA can do with the funding we have. I would like to see that addressed.”

The public would also like to see more attention given to test scores.

“It was mentioned at a previous board meeting that we are number 20 of 22 high schools in Morris County,” Senatore said. “We need to change that.”

“Parents have to pay for SAT prep classes, when those were once offered by the district,” Cannarozzi added. “I would like to see those classes brought back.”

Resident and past board member Horace Chamberlain said that the district needed to look into early childhood education.

“We need to have a better pre-K program if we are going to have a level playing field for these kids,” he said.

Finally, on the issue of characteristics, the attendees were very clear on their thoughts.

“The teachers in this district need to be inspired,” said past board of education Bob Vander Ploeg. “They need someone who will listen to them, and who they can have a two-way conversation with.

“Finally, I think someone who is willing to go the extra mile to have a good rapport with town groups like the police and fire departments would be a good candidate.”

Resident Tony Campana offered his insight.

“We need someone who is very direct, honest, straightforward, no nonsense, and not afraid of anybody,” he said.

“We need a motivator,” Senatore said. “We have a lot of very enthusiastic teachers and they need to see the superintendent taking an interest in what they are doing in the classroom.

“We also need for the public to be acknowledged, and for the superintendent to communicate whatever he or she can legally. I think communication has been missing,” she said.

Librera said that many of the issues brought up at the meeting matched up with concerns of the teachers, staff and central office people he had met with during the day.

The next step will be for Librera to read through the resumes the district collects. The deadline for resumes is Feb. 13. Based on all the feedback he received during the time he spent in the district, and after checking references, Librera will present from three to five candidates for the board to interview.

Current superintendent Kathaleen Fuchs will be retiring as of April 1.

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