Thanks to Be Offered As Somerset Hills Super Plans Last Day

Somerset Hills Schools Superintendent Peter Miller presided over his last graduation last week and on Wednesday night, was due to sit up in the center of the dais, for his last meeting with the Somerset Hills Board of Education.

For those recent graduates — and for many school employees — having Miller might very well be the only schools superintendent they remember at the helm of the Somerset Hills regional school district.

Thanks for Miller were planned for Wednesday's school board meeting, just one day before his anticipated retirement on Thursday, said Nancy Lee Hunter, school business administrator, who said she had worked with Miller for seven years.

"He's the best boss I ever had...and best superintendent," Hunter said.

Miller has superintendent for ten years, but on Wednesday he said that he started working for the district 35 years ago, filling in assignments as a combination of work-study coordinator and technology education (industrial arts) teacher.

"I have a lot of very, very fond memories," Miller said of his years filling numerous roles in the school district.

Miller said he has received many, many emails and phone calls and letters recently before his departure, for which he said he is "very grateful."

Another way that Miller is being honored is by through an endowment in his name, announced earlier this year, by the Somerset Hills Education Foundation. 

According to SHEF's website, the continuing endowment will promote and provide education opportunities by funding innovative programs and projects for the benefit of the students of the SHSD. To pledge or to make a contribution, the Endowment Fund Letter of Intent is online and may be downloaded.

As of two weeks ago, the endowment had grown to about $20,000 and continues to accept donations, Hunter said.

Miller posted an online message to the Somerset Hills School District Community on the school district's website.

"On the first day I entered this district as a teacher, it was evident that the Somerset Hills School District was a special place. Now 35 years later, as I prepare to end my career in  public education, I know not only is Somerset Hills a great place to work, but a great place to spend  an entire career," Miller wrote.

He thanked the community for "supporting my work as a high school teacher, high school and central office administrator and superintendent."

"Parents, thank you for entrusting me with your children throughout their education," Miller wrote. "Staff members, it has been my pleasure to work with the building administrators to support your daily efforts to make this district one of the best in the state."

He passed along one final "Alert Now message" to the community: "Hello, this is Pete Miller, Superintendent of The Somerset Hills School District, thanks for the past 35 years."