Two Opportunities Left for West Orange Residents to Provide Input on Superintendent Search

The Board of Education has received an overwhelming response from the public in its search for a new superintendent with approximately 650 online surveys filled out and 200 participants in open forums, interviews and focus groups. There are only two chances left to have your input considered before the Board hosts a final meeting allowing for public comment on candidate selection.

The two focus groups and open forums leading up to the Oct. 13 board meeting will take place Oct. 6 and Oct. 9, respectively. The Oct. 6 forum takes place in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy St in Maplewood, and is open to elementary and middle school parents from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., followed by an open forum for the community from 8:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Oct. 9 focus group takes place in the Columbia High School Library and is open to teachers and support staff from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., followed by a focus group for middle and high school parents from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. and closing with another open forum for the community from 8:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Oct. 13 board meeting will take place at the Columbia High School Library and begin in public session and move immediately to closed session once community input has been gauged in order to finalize search criteria based on public comments.

The meeting will open to public session again at 8:30 p.m., and Leroy Nunery of HYA Associates will give an overview on the leadership profile and search criteria.

The Board will select candidates and invite them to the first round of interviews, taking place in December, on Nov. 10.