Superintendent LaSusa To Step Down, Announces Departure From Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — After more than two decades, Chatham Superintendent Michael LaSusa announced Tuesday morning that he will be leaving the district at the end of the upcoming school year.

In a message to the community, LaSusa said that he had recently accepted a position as the next superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools, and will be leaving Chatham at the end of the year.

"I have spent the past nearly 24 years learning, building, and growing up in Chatham, and I have considered the SDOC my second home and family during the prime of my life. This has been a difficult and emotional decision for me," LaSusa wrote. "However, I believe that there are points in time when change can be healthy both for an individual and for an organization, even though it might not feel that way in the moment."

LaSusa joined the School District of the Chathams in 2001 as a teacher and later held several key administrative roles, including high school principal and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

As superintendent, LaSusa's achievements in Chatham include developing a comprehensive program to support student mental health and well-being, implementing a later high school start time and creating a mandatory Holocaust and Genocide Studies course at Chatham Middle School.

He also oversaw the installation of a dedicated Holocaust literary collection at both Chatham Middle and Chatham High Schools, expanded special education programming across all grade levels, introduced Chinese (simplified) and American Sign Language for Grades 6-12, and made significant investments in arts and athletics programs and facilities.

"I will finish the year in Chatham and ensure that all current initiatives and plans, including the implementation of full-day kindergarten and the grade level reconfiguration, will continue uninterrupted and as planned," LaSusa added. "I have supreme confidence in our terrific Board of Education and the leadership of the administrative team here."

LaSusa stated that he will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition and succession at the end of his term. He shared that he has been meeting with Board members over the past week and will continue collaborating with them to ensure the next district leader is fully supported for success.

"I am certain that Chatham is on solid footing and poised to become even better. Thank you sincerely and with immense gratitude," LaSusa wrote.