Update On ‘Long-Overdue Evaluation’ In Millburn Schools

MILLBURN, NJ — Administrators in the Millburn Public School District recently gave an update on a “long-overdue evaluation” that may result in some local changes.

Superintendent Kathryn Diskin sent a letter to the school community earlier this week outlining the “proposed organizational enhancements” that may be coming to Millburn’s public schools.

Diskin’s letter follows below:

“At [the March 24] Board of Education meeting, the proposed organizational enhancements were presented, and the Board approved the revised Organizational Chart for the 2025-2026 school year. The presentation shared at the meeting is now available on the website, as is the meeting recording.

“Millburn has always carefully fostered a thriving scholastic environment for our children, a testament to the outstanding teaching staff, academically challenging programs, and enriching extracurricular experiences. We can all take pride in the holistic educational excellence we have achieved over the years.

“In recent years, we have witnessed the rapidly evolving educational landscape as schools, colleges, and student opportunities are morphing expeditiously. In light of this changing climate, a critical question materialized – what kind of District enhancements would best ensure that we meet the evolving needs of our students, teachers, and families while maintaining Millburn’s storied educational integrity and excellence? In July 2024, to aid the Board’s inquiry, the Board retained an outside independent consultant to analyze the current academic structures and systems thoroughly. Our district's last efficiency audit was over a decade ago, so the Board prioritized undertaking this long-overdue evaluation last year.

“While we honor what currently exists, that does not preclude the need to look for opportunities to improve on our successes. After a thorough review and many iterations, this plan was developed with thoughtful consideration, deliberation, research, and input from various sources. These enhancements have been designed to ensure support for both learners and educators.

“Exciting changes are ahead for our district, and leading the way is a significant enhancement to our Guidance Department. At the heart of this transformation is the introduction of a Director of Student Support Services and Guidance dedicated to ensuring our students receive exceptional academic and social-emotional support. This vital addition will help us provide a more comprehensive and personalized support system for every student.

“At the elementary level, we’re equally excited to introduce a dynamic leadership team at each school: a Principal, Assistant Principal, School Counselor, and expert curriculum content area specialists. This team will work hand-in-hand to support students and staff, fostering continuity, collaboration, and cohesive programming across all grade levels and schools.

“A new robust structure at the secondary level will bring greater alignment and continuity from middle to high school. The role of the high school department chair will transition into 6-12 or K-12 Supervisors—a shift that will create stronger vertical and horizontal connections across grades, ensuring a seamless and cohesive experience for both students and teachers.

“We’re also thrilled to introduce a dedicated Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts, who will help elevate and unify our incredible arts programs across the district. These enhancements are all about creating a more connected, collaborative, and comprehensive educational experience that fully supports the growth and success of every student and educator.

“This process has been driven by a deep understanding that we must set the stage for the future success of Millburn education. We recognize the community’s concern over several key leaders' simultaneous departure, primarily due to their retirement after many years of dedicated service. We have been so fortunate to count these staff and administrators as peers, and we express our deepest gratitude for their years of dedicated service. It is undeniable that their contributions have enriched our community. In this spirit, we are committed to attracting exceptionally strong and experienced personnel from inside and outside our district. We are fortunate that staff members who did not choose to move up to one of the new supervisory positions will continue to play an integral role in our students’ classroom educational experience.

“Our guiding light has always been to provide our students and families with the best education and experience. We remain committed to ensuring our students are prepared for a world that demands innovation, adaptability, and creativity. While pushing us to new heights, our new organizational structure will always remain grounded in our core mission and values, which are at the heart of everything we do. It will infuse our schools with innovative practices, experiential programming, and a renewed focus on rigor, opportunity, and support of every student.

“We deeply appreciate our faculty, staff, and community’s continued dedication as we navigate this transition. Your unwavering support and confidence in our shared commitment to educational excellence are invaluable as we embark on this journey. The path forward is full of promise, and we are confident that it will foster the long-term enrichment of our outstanding schools and community.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.