Superintendent Search Moving Out of 'Information' Stage

After Sept. 30, the search for a replacement for retired Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder will move into a new phase, sorting through potential candidates to find the best matches for the district.

"Up until this point, it's all been collecting information and startup," board of education President Patrick Breslin said after Tuesday's meeting.

That information gathering concludes next week, when the district will stop accepting residents input on a seven question survey on the key characteristics residents want in the next superintendent posted on the district website. The survey will be live on the site through Sept. 30.

The results of the survey, as well as comments received at the series of forums held for school administrators, staff members and residents that wrapped up Monday, will be reviewed under the guidance of Jane Kershner, director of field services for the New Jersey School Boards Association. Breslin said the district expects to receive a report on which of the more than 30 candidates who have filed for the position so far best match the criteria developed in the forums and through the online survey. 

"Then, we'll start a process of going through them to see which ones are viable candidates," he said.

The board has scheduled three executive sessions for the end of October to accommodate any interviews or discussions needed for the search, but Breslin said the district will be providing additional updates along the way.

He said the website link will be updated providing dates for when the next steps are taken through October.