West Windsor-Plainsboro Superintendent Will Leave District in June

kniewelWest Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Schools Superintendent Victoria Kniewel has decided to resign at the end of the school year and take a superintendent position in another state.

“I am writing to let you know that I shared my intent to resign at the end of this school year with the WW-P Board of Education,” Kniewel wrote in an email to district staff members this morning. “I am in the process of taking a superintendent position in another state.”

At the 7:30 school board meeting tonight at the Community Middle School, Board President Hemant Marathe will formally announce her intent to resign.

“Please know that the Board of Education is very interested in a smooth transition and what is best for WW-P,” Kniewel wrote. “I am honored to have served our school community with you over the past nine years as superintendent and assistant superintendent.”

Kniewel was paid $192,676 for the 2011-02 school year. Her contract expires in June of 2015. 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. Last week Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Judith Wilson announced her decision to retire at the end of the year. Wilson, who is paid $224,890 per year, would have faced a pay cut of more than $56,000 if she decided to stay on after her current contract expired. Kniewel would have faced a pay cut of more than $17,000 if she decided to stay on after the contract expired.

The following news release, sent out to staff, will be read at the school board meeting tonight:

NEWS RELEASE
Date: March 27, 2013

From the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District:

At its meeting on March 27, 2013, Dr. Hemant Marathe, president of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education, acknowledged that he has received notification from Dr. Victoria Kniewel, superintendent of schools, of her intent to resign as superintendent. Dr. Kniewel has accepted a position as superintendent of schools for a public school district outside the state of New Jersey.

Dr. Marathe praised Dr. Kniewel for her involvement and attentions at every level throughout the WW-P Regional School District: “As superintendent and assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Kniewel has led the district with distinction through some challenging times. She has helped to put into place structures that will help us realize the mission statement of the district. “

On behalf of the Board of Education, parents, and students, Dr. Marathe added, “I would like to thank the superintendent for her valuable contributions during the past nine years. She will be missed, and WW-P will build up the foundations she has created.”

At a later date, the Board of Education will meet in Closed Executive Session to consider all options in preparing a transition plan and process for selecting a new superintendent.

 

We will update this story as more information becomes available.

3 Comments

  1. “…Kniewel would have faced a pay cut of more than $17,000 if she decided to stay on after the contract expired.” I guess one truly can put a price on an educator’s commitment to children and her price is $17K. Sad.

    1. Are you willing to take a pay cut for your job? Why are educators vilified for expecting a fair salary? Most educators don’t make large salaries, and a pay cut will impact their ability to support their families.

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