Superintendent Search Continues: Search Firm Reports Survey Results

Candace Braun

The search for a superintendent continues, as the Princeton Regional School Board met with its search firm last week to hear the results of community meetings and a survey.

"We are looking for someone with excellent personnel and management skills," said School Board President Anne Burns late last week. "Not a CEO, but a manager and collaborator."

She added that a number of Princeton residents said they want the next superintendent to be as concerned about maintaining construction progress as Superintendent Claire Sheff Kohn, who will be leaving her post at the end of the month.

Mark Smith and Carol Conger, the two consultants the district hired from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., spoke at a Board meeting held on Wednesday, July 7. They reported that along with consulting 120 residents, which included parents, faculty, and local business owners, the search firm got back 140 surveys that were mailed out to the community.

A proven ability to work with minorities and an interest in closing the minority achievement gap are some of the other characteristics the community is looking for in a superintendent, said Ms. Burns.

The results of the meetings and survey were not a surprise to the Board, but members were happy to hear that the community shared their goals, said Ms. Burns: "It was good to hear we had common values and common interests."

The search firm will now begin to look for applicants that fit the criteria set forth by the Princeton community and the Board. According to the search firm's website (www.hyasupersearches.com), screenings for the position will begin on August 10.

The firm will present the Board with eight semi-finalists during the second week of September, said Ms. Burns. The Board anticipates having a new superintendent in place by next January.

In the meantime, Dr. Richard Marasco will serve as interim superintendent, beginning August 1.

Subhead: Board Renews Contract

In related news, the Board recently approved the payment of $250,000 to the Hillier Group for construction on Princeton High School. The money paid for work done on the school through April 19 of this year, said Ms. Burns.

The district's contract with Hillier expired at the end of April, as construction on the school was originally due to start last spring along with the five other schools. However, because construction didn't get underway until late last year, the Board had to renegotiate an extension of its contract with the architect.

The district will pay the Hillier Group $28,000 per month for the next 12 months for all construction and renovation projects. After one year, payments will drop to $20,000 per month. This is because all construction and renovation on John Witherspoon Middle School should be complete by then, said Ms. Burns.

In total, the district intends to pay Hillier $516,000 over 21 months.

"This is money we do have and can afford," said Ms. Burns.

The Board president added that all schools in the district should be prepared to open on time in September, regardless of construction status: "We're inches away on some of these projects."