New super brings stability to district
Brick Board of Education members did the right thing last week when they voted to hire Walter J. Hrycenko to take over as superintendent of schools.

Hrycenko brings a Brick history to the position. He has been assistant superintendent since 2003.

But he has worked in the district for more than 10 years. He came to Brick in May 1998 as the district's science supervisor.

Brick needs a hometown superintendent, someone who has a genuine interest in the community. Brick also needs a superintendent who will stick around for a while.

Brick residents certainly didn't have that with former Superintendent Thomas L. Seidenberger, who seemed to be shopping his résumé around almost as soon as he was hired back in 2003.

Seidenberger's Brick roots didn't run deep. He and his family live in Pennsylvania. Seidenberger resigned in July 2007 to take a job as superintendent in the East Penn school district.

He was followed by interim Superintendent Melindo A. Persi, who had expected to stay on until November and help in the search for a new superintendent.

But the board membership changed hands after the April school board elections and Persi was abruptly terminated at the board reorganization meeting.

He was replaced by interim Superintendent Mary Ann Ceres, a former Brick administrator who agreed to serve as temporary superintendent until a replacement could be found.

Hrycenko will be paid $175,000 a year. His four-year contract with the district started Aug. 29 and will run through June 20, 2012.

His lack of a doctoral degree may be questioned by some, but it really doesn't matter.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Fairfield University and two master's degrees — one in education and one in education administration — from Georgian Court University.

Hyrcenko is also certified as a school administrator, school business administrator, principal, subject supervisor and science teacher.

Brick has had a revolving door of superintendents over the past few years. Hyrycenko should bring a welcome stability to a district used to too many upheavals.