Princeton School Board Hosts Two Public Forums Regarding Superintendent Search

Judy Wilson will retire at the end of the year.
Superintendent Judy Wilson will retire at the end of the year.

The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education is hosting two public forums today and tomorrow to gather feedback from residents about the search for a new superintendent of schools.

The first forum will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. today. The second forum will be held tomorrow, May 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. Both forums will be held in the school board conference room at the district administration building at 25 Valley Road.

An online survey is also being conducted to gather feedback about what residents think are important skills and characteristics they would like to see in a superintendent. Thursday is the last day to take the online survey

“In a town that values strong public education, few decisions are as important as the selection of a superintendent of schools. While the board of education has the ultimate responsibility for naming a superintendent, we ask everyone in Princeton to help us with this crucial decision,” said School Board President Tim Quinn regarding the forums and survey. “Everyone in Princeton benefits from excellent public education, regardless of whether or not they have a student currently attending one of our schools. It is in the spirit of advancing a common good that we ask the community’s assistance in the search process.”

Superintendent Judith Wilson will retire  at the end of 2013. Wilson, 56, has led the district since February of 2005. If Wilson had decided to stay on after her contract expired, she would have faced a $57,000 pay cut. In 2010, the state imposed a salary cap for superintendents that would apply to any new contract. The cap, which is based on the size of the school district, has led superintendents around the state to retire and has generated lawsuits. Wilson is currently paid $224,890 per year. He contract was set to expire in June of 2014.

The school board has hired Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to conduct a national search for Wilson’s successor.