Somerset Hills Endowment Growing for Retiring Superintendent

Longtime Somerset Hills Schools Superintendent and educator Peter Miller is due to retire at the end of June, and the Somerset Hills Education Foundation (SHEF) already has been accepted donations to have a well-established endowed fund in Miller's honor in place by that time.

Lynne Brum, vice-chair of SHEF on Thursday said the fund already has received pledges totaling about $10,000 for what is expected to a permanent rolling fund to maintain educational quality in the prek-grades 12 school district, which serves Bernardsville, Far Hills and Peapack-Gladstone. High school students from Bedminster also attend Bernards High.

So far, she said, the endowment has received gifts ranging from $25 to $25,000, including donations from teachers and relatives of Miller's.

Brum said the gifts really are about participating "at whatever level" in showing respect and appreciation for Miller "and the work he's done."

SHEF has announced a goal of $35,000 for the endowment by the time that Miller leaves his position at the end of June. Brum said SHEF will announce an update at an upcoming retirement dinner for Miller, which is scheduled for the middle of June.

Brum said the current amount does not include a "significant" donation yet to come from SHEF itself, an educational foundation that has supported a wide range of projects and programs.

Those initiatives have ranged from the Columbia University-affiliated writing program, to hiring a staff member for the high school college counseling program to technology investments in previous years.

Longtime Somerset Hills Superintendent Peter Miller has been with the district for 35 years and superintendent for the past 10 years.

His planned replacement, Dr. Frances Wood, now superintendent of the Highland Park School District, was appointed by the Board of Education in March.

"Establishing an endowment in the name of Pete Miller would clearly recognize his many contributions, his values and his long term commitment to The Somerset Hills School District," says the pledge sheet for the endowment.
"The Somerset Hills Education Foundation is proud to take the lead in making this a reality before his departure.

Miller came to The Somerset Hills School District right after graduating from college and remained for his entire career, a rarity in a world where many school administrators move around.

The SHEF pledge sheet, and Miller himself, say that he served as a technology teacher, department supervisor, assistant principal, guidance director, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent before becoming superintendent in 2003.

"Pete has served the district in a professional, thoughtful, and kind manner, with a high degree of dedication and integrity," the pledge sheet said.

The district repeatedly has ranked among the best in the state by New Jersey Monthly Magazine and among the best in the nation by Newsweek Magazine.
Parents, past parents, alumni, former and current teachers, staff and friends can make donations in any amount at anytime to the Peter J. Miller Endowment Fund, according to SHEF.

Anyone with questions or seeking additional information can contact Lynne Brum at lbrum@verizon.net.

A letter of intent is online.