New school super to be announced

BRICK TOWNSHIP — The Board of Education is expected to name the school district's new superintendent at its public meeting tonight.

"We had some really well-qualified people we interviewed," said Board President Daniel Woska. "It took a long time and was a very tough decision, but in the end, I think we found someone who fulfills what the community and the board is looking for. I'm very happy with the choice."

The board began the hiring process in May and had 28 internal and external candidates apply for the position, which has been held on an interimbasis by Mary Ann Ceres since April.

The applications were then screened using a Rubric, developed in part with input from various community, township, parent and teacher organizations.

"Almost every single group said that they wanted someone who had a knowledge and concern for the community, student achievement and fiscal responsibility," said Ceres. "They also wanted someone with loyalty to Brick."

Six candidates were brought in for a first round of interviews after the 28 applications were reviewed. That group was then further narrowed down to four candidates, who were then re-interviewed.

The entire board also met frequently to discuss the applicants, in addition to the interviews, Woska said.

"It was a lengthy process," he said. "We did our due diligence."

Although Ceres did say that the new superintendent has been notified and has accepted the position, both she and Woska declined to comment on when the person would take over the district.

Both said that information would be made available at tonight's meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Lake Riviera Middle School's multipurpose room.

"I think the board has done a good job of finding a new superintendent," said Ceres. "They had a thorough research and selection process. And they held to the process."

Prior to Ceres, Melindo A. Persi had been the district's interim superintendent. He served in the position from July 2007 to April 2008.

Ceres, a retired Brick teacher and assistant superintendent, took the job with the understanding that her tenure would be limited to 135 days, which gave the district enough time to find her permanent replacement.

Persi filed suit against the district shortly after he was fired at the April board reorganization meeting. He claims in the suit that he was not given proper notification that he was to be dismissed.

The school district's last permanent superintendent was Thomas L. Seidenberger, who was hired in November 2002 and resigned in July 2007 in order to head the East Penn school district near his Lehigh County (Pa.) home.

In other administrative news, the board recently approved the hiring of two assistant principals at the elementary school level.

Kathleen Matsutani is the new assistant principal at Veterans Memorial Elementary School and Allison Mc- Connell is the new assistant principal at Lanes Mill Elementary School.

Matsutani, who has been a fourthand fifth- grade teacher at Midstreams Elementary School for the past 10 years, takes over for Jennifer Posa- Whitner, who left Brick to become a principal in another school district.

Matsutani has a master's degree in administration and curriculum from Georgian Court University.

McConnell, who previously taught second and third grade in Berkley Township, takes over for Dorothy Rohland, who retired.

McConnell holds two master's degrees — one in elementary and early childhood education from Rutgers University and one in organization and leadership from Columbia University's Teachers College.

"What is most impressive about these two women is their knowledge of curriculum and instruction, their sensitivity to the needs of children and their leadership potential," Ceres said.