Princeton Board of Education hopes to extend acting superintendent’s contract another year

Kathie Foster, the acting superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools, will continue to lead the district for another year if the proposal is approved by the state.

The possibility of extending Foster’s contract until June 30, 2025, was announced in an email to parents on Friday.

“We firmly believe that our school district is best served by Dr. Foster’s continued leadership at this time,” wrote the school board in an email to parents. “We are beyond grateful to Dr. Foster for her kind and effective leadership, her commitment to excellence, and her dedication to students.”

Foster is being paid a per diem rate of $1,100 per day. She has been the acting superintendent since Carol Kelley was put on paid leave in November. Foster was the superintendent of the Robbinsville Public Schools from 2016 to 2020. Because she is technically retired, New Jersey law only allows her to work in Princeton for a limited time. The district must receive permission from the New Jersey Department of Education to extend her contract.

On Monday, March 18, the Princeton Board of Education will vote on a resolution to authorize the board attorney to request an extension from the Department of Education. If successful, the Board will vote at a future board meeting on extending Foster’s contract through June 30, 2025. The school board’s attorney has spoken with the Mercer County Superintendent and says he is supportive of this extension.