Superintendent Search Delays Task Force Work

Work by the High School of the Future Task Force has been put on hold while the school board completes the search for a new Hopatcong superintendent, board president Clifford Lundin said Monday.

Superintendent Charles Maranzano Jr. is leaving at the end of  the current school year.

The task force was organized last fall after residents complained about the New Jersey Monthly magazine annual school ranking issue that placed the Hopatcong school  district at 289, a drop of 89 slots from its 2011 ranking as the 200th best school in state.

The task force is expected to examine specific areas of the  of the district, such as curriculum, facilities, discipline and others.

Lundin said even though the task force has not been formally charged with duties, suggestions from members were reflected in decisions made by the school board as they created a 2013-14 budget.

He said no effort is being made to disband the task force, but that the work of creating a 2013-14 budget and interviewing superintendent  candidates  took precedence.

Lundin said the board was advised to focus on the hiring since the new superintendent  would be responsible for implementing the recommendations  of the task force.

Lundin said the board received 32 applications, and interviewed six candidates A second round of interviews will begin April 2.

“We will have someone in place July 1,” Lundin said.

According to Lundin, the process is complicated by a salary cap imposed on superintendents by Gov. Chris Christie. Highly qualified candidates are retiring or not seeking new positions.

“Still, we are seeking good candidates,” he said.