Public invited to share thoughts on supt. search
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The search for a new district superintendent will begin Wednesday with a series of meetings held throughout the day.

The Board of Education is inviting all community members to attend a public input session at 7:30 p.m. at the North Brunswick Township High School at 30 Raider Road. The purpose of the meeting is to gather information about the community's vision of education and the professional qualifications expected of such a superior position.

"This is the most important person in our educational system," board President Ann Casey said.

The consulting firm JD Associates will be paid a flat fee of $6,000 to conduct the search, which is expected to last four to six months. Beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, two consultants will meet with Casey, after which no board members will be present so as to assure no bias in the meetings.

Afterward, parent groups, community liaisons, building principals and supervisors and a cross section of the high school population will voice their opinions. Later in the evening, the mayor and the council will be invited to speak with the professionals, after which the public will have their turn.

"Everyone in this township has a stake in what happens to the educational system in our community. Whether it's the taxpayers, the seniors who don't have children in the schools, the high school students, the parents, the staff that works here or the administration, everyone has a stake in the education of our school district," Casey said.

In March, a 4-4 vote with one abstention in a closed session hearing allowed then-Superintendent Robert Rimmer to remain as the head of schools and granted him a request for a four- to six-week medical leave. Assistant Superintendent Geri Margin took over the duties of acting superintendent at that time. In May, the board accepted Rimmer's resignation without disclosing a reason for his termination with the district.

For more information about the meeting, call (732) 289-3000.