Berkeley Heights board narrows superintendent search timeline, debates preferred credentials
May 21, 2024 | Berkeley Heights School District, School Districts, New Jersey
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The Berkeley Heights Board of Education took steps May 20 to finalize the public advertisement, candidate criteria and timeline for its superintendent search, with the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) leading the process.
NJSBA representatives Patty Reese and Jean Cleary told the board the firm would classify applicants into A/B/C groups and deliver a secure candidate pool in executive session for board review. Reese emphasized confidentiality: "Don't share the information with anybody, don't reach out to any contacts," noting some candidates do not want their current employers notified.
The board debated whether to list an earned doctorate as a required credential. Several members supported listing it as "preferred" so internal and out‑of‑state candidates would not be excluded; one board member said a doctorate is "not necessary." NJSBA recommended preferred rather than required language to keep the applicant pool broad.
Members also clarified statutory certification requirements. Reese said New Jersey law requires either a standard school administrator certificate or a certificate of eligibility; candidates without a standard certificate may need a mentor under state rules. The board agreed to state the ad will require a New Jersey school administrator certificate or eligibility.
On timing, the board reviewed two calendars: an aggressive schedule supporting a Jan. 1, 2025 start and a less compressed July 1, 2025 option. Several members urged aiming for January despite the tighter deadlines. Board member Jordan Hyman said, "Without a doubt, January," and the board agreed to pursue the more aggressive timeline while retaining the July fallback if the initial pool is unsatisfactory.
Key dates and process details presented by NJSBA include posting the ad May 30–June 1, an application deadline in mid‑July, a pool delivery and in‑person, confidential pool review on July 29, and first‑round interviews in mid‑August. NJSBA will pre‑screen and provide a standardized set of first‑round questions; the board may add round‑2 and round‑3 questions subject to legal vetting.
NJSBA said it will draft a candidate advertisement incorporating board input (including district specifics such as the send/receive relationship and the district’s deaf and hard‑of‑hearing program) and circulate it for board edits by May 31. Board members asked for accurate district figures in the ad and the opportunity to word‑smith the posting.
Next steps: NJSBA will circulate the ad and the board will return edits by the May 31 deadline so the ad can post as planned. The board also scheduled community input sessions and online surveys to collect stakeholder priorities that will shape interview questions and weighting of candidate criteria.
NJSBA representatives Patty Reese and Jean Cleary told the board the firm would classify applicants into A/B/C groups and deliver a secure candidate pool in executive session for board review. Reese emphasized confidentiality: "Don't share the information with anybody, don't reach out to any contacts," noting some candidates do not want their current employers notified.
The board debated whether to list an earned doctorate as a required credential. Several members supported listing it as "preferred" so internal and out‑of‑state candidates would not be excluded; one board member said a doctorate is "not necessary." NJSBA recommended preferred rather than required language to keep the applicant pool broad.
Members also clarified statutory certification requirements. Reese said New Jersey law requires either a standard school administrator certificate or a certificate of eligibility; candidates without a standard certificate may need a mentor under state rules. The board agreed to state the ad will require a New Jersey school administrator certificate or eligibility.
On timing, the board reviewed two calendars: an aggressive schedule supporting a Jan. 1, 2025 start and a less compressed July 1, 2025 option. Several members urged aiming for January despite the tighter deadlines. Board member Jordan Hyman said, "Without a doubt, January," and the board agreed to pursue the more aggressive timeline while retaining the July fallback if the initial pool is unsatisfactory.
Key dates and process details presented by NJSBA include posting the ad May 30–June 1, an application deadline in mid‑July, a pool delivery and in‑person, confidential pool review on July 29, and first‑round interviews in mid‑August. NJSBA will pre‑screen and provide a standardized set of first‑round questions; the board may add round‑2 and round‑3 questions subject to legal vetting.
NJSBA said it will draft a candidate advertisement incorporating board input (including district specifics such as the send/receive relationship and the district’s deaf and hard‑of‑hearing program) and circulate it for board edits by May 31. Board members asked for accurate district figures in the ad and the opportunity to word‑smith the posting.
Next steps: NJSBA will circulate the ad and the board will return edits by the May 31 deadline so the ad can post as planned. The board also scheduled community input sessions and online surveys to collect stakeholder priorities that will shape interview questions and weighting of candidate criteria.
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