'Job Interview' Complete, Interim Superintendent Gets Kinnelon Post

The Kinnelon Public Schools Board of Education voted 4-2 to drop the "interim" from Diane DiGiuseppe's superintendent title Thursday night.

"It's very exciting," DiGiuseppe said of her new appointment.

DiGiuseppe took over as the interim superintendent after James Opiekun retired from the role after 10 years in May 2012.

Since June 1, 2012, she has been on what former Board of Education President Margaret Zybrick called "a year-long job interview," during which she dealt with hurricanes, snow storms and a national focus on school security following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December.

"There was a huge outpouring of support from the teachers and administration," DiGiuseppe said. "There was a huge group of people there for the vote. It was so unexpected and nice, and very touching."

DiGiuseppe formerly served as the district's director of curriculum for four years under Opiekun's administration. Her interim contract expires on June 30.

"Being an interim is tricky. You're there, but you're not there," DiGiuseppe said. "It's nice to know this is where I'll be. There's some finality."

DiGiuseppe's new contract is for a three-year period at $157,500 per year.

Zybrick was on the board when DiGiuseppe was named as the curriculum director and the interim superintendent. She went to the meeting Thursday to show her support for the permanent placement.

"I'm saddened that it wasn't unanimous, but the right thing was done and that's all that matters at the end of the day," Zybrick said. "Diane is a phenomenal educator and has an intense knowledge of what needs to be done."

Zybrick had nothing but praise for DiGiuseppe's performance as curriculum director and interim superintendent, especially given the challenges of changing state laws, the horrific aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and the shifting focus onto school safety and security after Sandy Hook.

"She really handed things incredibly well, and all in her first year," Zybrick said. "These are things some superintendents go their whole careers without facing. ...

"Kinnelon really got a great package when they hired her," Zybrick said.