By Donald Gilpin

The search for a permanent superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) was officially launched on Thursday, October 17, with School Leadership LLC consultants advertising the position in numerous outlets, as well as reaching out to target organizations and implementing additional recruitment strategies.

“The consultants have said that they are seeing interest in the position,” the Princeton Board of Education (BOE) reported in a statement Tuesday.

The hiring process, a rolling search with applications submitted online, is expected to continue into the winter with a candidate and contract approved by March. Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster will continue to lead the district through June, with the new superintendent stepping into the position on July 1, 2025.

Seeking broad-based participation in developing the criteria to guide the search and selection process, the consultants during the past month have conducted a series of 24 forums and focus group meetings, and an online poll. They have gathered information from participants about “the community and its schools, its leadership challenges, and the qualifications, experiences, and characteristics that should be prioritized in candidates for the position.”

The Board noted, “We appreciate the feedback we received from the community through the public forums and the survey. The next step will be screening applications and interviewing candidates for the position. We will provide updates to the community as soon as we are able.”

At a special meeting of the BOE on October 16, Martin Brooks and Rina Beder from School Leadership LLC reported on the forums and focus group meetings, with a total of 225 participants, as well as the results from 512 respondents to the extensive survey.

Included in the groups and individuals participating in the meetings were various parent groups; administrators; teachers from all levels; BOE members; staff members; individual parents; leaders from administrators, teachers, tech staff, and staff unions; BOE candidates; representatives from Princeton University; community members; and high school students.

According to Brooks and Beder, the meetings, focus groups and online survey focused on three broad issues: “What qualities, skills, characteristics, and experiences do you feel are most important for the next superintendent?” “What are the key strengths of the District?” and “What are the major challenges for a new superintendent?”

Acknowledging that there were differing perspectives on issues and something short of unanimity in responses to the questions, the consultants nonetheless stated that “all of the data collected suggest that Princeton’s stakeholders share similar views of the district and its schools, its challenges, and the qualities it seeks in its new superintendent.”

As derived from the input received and approved by the Board, the recruiters/consultants and BOE are looking for: “an experienced, knowledgeable, and inclusive educational leader with a strong background in enhancing curriculum, instruction, and student achievement and well-being and a commitment to addressing the diverse needs of all learners; a compassionate, thoughtful, and active promoter of Princeton Public Schools’ mission; a collaborative, energetic, team builder … who engages with parents, faculty, staff, students, and the broader community; a clear, proactive, and transparent communicator; a skilled and adaptive finance manager with expertise in budget development; and a courageous, ethical, visible, and accessible leader who is excited about becoming a member of the Princeton community.”

Among the strengths of the district most often noted by respondents in the meetings and on the survey were a strong team of committed administrators and staff members, a multi-cultural community that cares about children and values public education, a history of strong community support for its schools, outstanding students who receive “a stellar education,” a strong special education program, and proximity to Princeton University.

Leadership challenges noted on the job posting and also cited by forum and survey respondents included: “engaging the educational and broader community in the creation of a vision for the future; meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of a wide range of learners; effectively and transparently communicating with all segments of the community; and establishing clear, consistent systems that promote the district’s mission.”

Other leadership challenges mentioned frequently by school and community participants included taking on the achievement gap in the district; strengthening the DLI (dual language immersion) and ESL programs; working in a racially diverse community; space issues in schools and the potential for redistricting; enhancement of facilities; and “restoring trust: ‘Lots of scar tissue in this community.’”

The job posting for PPS superintendent, which can be found, along with additional information on the search, on the PPS website at princetonk12.org, describes the PPS as “a renowned, vibrant, and diverse educational community advantaged by its proximity to and relationship with Princeton University.” It also notes the district’s “abundant cultural resources, an engaged and supportive community, and a devoted team of skilled faculty and staff.”

No salary amount is mentioned in the job posting, but the new superintendent will be offered a contract for a minimum of three years and maximum of five years. Foster’s salary for the 2024-25 school year is $1,133 per diem.