Parents Say Academics, Balance, Decision-Making Skills Key for New Principal

When it comes to selecting ’s next principal, it’s all about balance, accessibility and decisions that are oriented toward kids, according to staff, students and parents.

Those were the most common comments heard at meetings with each of the groups held Monday by District Superintendent Michael Schilder and Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Dyer.

Though the process of filling current principal is in its early stages, the district has already posted an advertisement in The Star-Ledger about the vacancy and has received several applications, though Schilder declined to comment on the exact number.

But the point of the sessions isn’t to see what parents want changed in the district, though some comments at the parents’ meeting gravitated there. The information gathered will give administrators a better idea about which traits parents want in the high school leader, and will allow them to develop interview questions for the applicants.

About eight parents attended the parent input session at Bridgewater-Raritan High School Monday, with most saying they wanted a principal who understands a school-life balance; who is accessible to students, staff and parents; and who will involve students, staff and parents in the school’s mission.

For resident Henry Lu, increasing communication between the school and the community is paramount. A particular focus would be working with local businesses to enrich life at the school, he said.

“There is not quite a lot of interaction between the schools and the company,” Lu said. “For example, Sanofi-Aventis is a French company, but we’ve never invited some of the native French speakers into the classes.”

“This school is the largest organization in the community, but our impact on the community is so small,” he added.

For other parents, striking a balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities and athletics is the key. Some parents noted the amount of summer work the students receive, and a perceived lack of concentration on it during the school year.

“I’ve talked to my son and all his friends and, while they’re not in all AP classes, it’s mostly AP and Honors,” resident Ann Steiner said. “They are talking to each other at 12 at night, do you know how to do this problem.”

Other parents, like Penny Wolf, wanted to know how the new principal will keep lines of communication open during emergencies, and wanted to ensure the principal knows the concerns students deal with every day.

“These kids are growing up in a different world than we grew up in,” she said.  “They are street smart, and they need someone who also is street smart.”

Other parents felt the new principal will need to be aware of trends outside of the school, so students will be prepared for life after graduation.

“They need to be aware of what’s going on in college and in vocational schools and in the workplace,” resident Elise Prezant said.

Parents also agreed that the candidate will need an understanding of the size of the school, and experience dealing with budget constraints.

Applications for the position are due by Feb. 11, with the district’s hiring committee having a first round of interviews on Feb. 23 and 24. The hiring committee is comprised of teachers, principals and assistant principals, supervisors, parents and Administrative Cabinet members.

The selection of finalists is expected to occur Feb. 24, with final interviews by the superintendent and Board Personnel Committee occurring on March 14.

Reference checks, a writing sample and an option on-site visit is slated for March 14 to 18. Selection of a finalist, which Schilder will do, is set for March 18 and a recommendation, meeting and appointment is expected to occur March 22.

The tentative start date would be June 24.

With all the qualities, attitudes and other questions parents wanted to see in the school’s new leader, one parent had a more modern interview suggestion.

“We certainly want to check their Facebook page.” Prezant said.