Superintendent Of Chester Schools Set To Retire

CHESTER, NJ — Christina Van Woert, hired in 2008 as the superintendent of the Chester School District, has announced she will be retiring effective next March.

"In my heart, I have always been a teacher, with a little more responsibility than the others. It is through this lens that I have always sought to teach others how to do our very best for the children of Chester. I will miss them and the joy that they have brought to my life the most," Van Woert said.

The Chester Board of Education was notified of Van Woert's decision in October, district officials said.

Her decision to retire comes after 20 years of dedicated service to the Chester district and its students, and 35 years as an educator overall.

"I hope that over the past twenty years I have been able to enrich their lives as well and have pointed them towards a path of lifelong happiness and fulfillment. That was always my only purpose," Van Woert said in a message to the school board.

Van Woert, who served as principal of Bragg School before being named superintendent of schools in 2008, leaves behind a distinguished legacy of service, officials said.

During her tenure, she earned several accolades, including being named NJASA Morris County Superintendent of the Year in 2021 and receiving the Morris County Education Association’s Friend of Education Award in 2022. She also led Black River Middle School to secure "Schools to Watch" designations for four consecutive terms, from 2010 to 2022.

"Her talents were a true gift to Chester. While we will miss Dr. Van Woert's dedication and commitment, we are excited for her as she begins this well-earned new chapter in her life," the Chester Board of Education said in a news release.

Van Woert's final day serving the district will be March 31, 2025, officials said.

"The timing of this announcement will allow the Board of Education to conduct a thorough search for our next superintendent of schools. Our goal is to build on the strong foundation that Dr. Van Woert has helped to establish and continue to prioritize the success and well-being of our students and staff," the school board said.

The Chester School District provides education for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The district includes Dickerson Elementary School (K-2), Bragg Intermediate School (3-5), and Black River Middle School (6-8), and serves the communities of Chester Borough and Chester Township.