Point Pleasant Boro Superintendent Search Update As Smith Retires

POINT PLEASANT BORO – Point Pleasant Boro school officials have provided an update on the search for a new school superintendent following Vincent Smith's retirement announcement.

Officials said during a recent school board meeting that they're looking for a "perfect" match with the district that will be part of a "rigorous process."

Smith is retiring at the end of the school year after serving the district for the past decade.

"Mr. Smith, I am beyond sad to hear that you are leaving. You are one of the first districts I did a search for when I came to work for the New Jersey School Boards Association," said Kathy Winecoff of the New Jersey School Boards Association.

She said the board and NJSBA will have a confidential search process but the board will need to give the community and staff an opportunity to provide input.

"You're hiring somebody who is going to be your educational leader so it has to go through a rigorous process," she said.

Winecoff, who conducts searches for various districts, said she is currently conducting a search and she has reached out to candidates who could be a "good fit." But she said the school boards ultimately make the final decision.

Generally, there are three rounds of interviews, she said. All candidates get generally asked the same questions during the first round.

Winecoff said she's seen "up-and-coming" candidates, largely people who want to move up from principal or some other position.