More Info. On Secaucus Interim Superintendent, Including His Salary

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus just got a new interim school superintendent, and acting superintendent Charlie Voorhees will go back to being athletic director and head football coach.

At their meeting Monday night, the school board took a majority vote to name Dr. Mark Toback as interim superintendent of schools. Toback was most recently superintendent of the Wayne school district for the past 10 years, and he then retired.

Toback will start running the district Oct. 1.

Toback is not the permanent Secaucus schools superintendent. He is still only the interim. The school board will continue its search for a full-time, permanent school superintendent, said Board president Kelli D'Addetta Tuesday evening.

"Since Mr. Voorhees decided not to continue in his position as acting superintendent after September 30, 2025, the Board appointed Dr. Mark Toback to be the interim superintendent," said D'Addetta. "Dr. Toback is a retired administrator and is permitted under state law to accept employment in an administrative position for up to two years without re-enrolling in the state pension fund."

On Monday night, the Board approved a contract for Dr. Toback at a per diem rate of $900 for up to five days a week. The term of his contract is from October 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, but may be terminated by either party on 14 days notice.

D'Addetta stressed the Secaucus school district needs stability at this time, as it searches for a permanent superintendent.

“We look forward to working with him as we continue our search for a permanent superintendent," she said.

Toback said in a pre-prepared statement he wants to "provide stability during this time of transition."

Voorhees withdrew his name from being considered as permanent superintendent

At past Board meetings, Mayor Mike Gonnelli publicly urged the school board to permanently give Voorhees the job (offer him a multi-year contract), citing Voorhees' roots in Secaucus and someone local who knows the town and this community.

But Voorhees withdrew his name from the running to be superintendent a few weeks ago, Gonnelli said Tuesday.

He withdrew his name before the district started its three rounds of superintendent candidate interviews.

Why did Voorhees decide he didn't want the superintendent job permanently?

"You'll have to ask Charlie Voorhees," was all the mayor would say Tuesday.

Secaucus' search for superintendent continues

The board just wrapped up its third round of superintendent interviews Monday night. The Board interviewed one sole candidate Monday night.

"The Board conducted a third interview with a candidate, but did not make any decision concerning the candidate or on continuing the search process," D'Addetta said Tuesday. "The Board will be meeting again soon to make these critical decisions."

Voorhees stepped up to be acting Secaucus superintendent in April 2024, after Erick Alfonso left the district in a cloud of mystery; board members never said why they voted Alfonso out.

Alfonso also left Secaucus schools with a payment of $183,977 for more than a year of not working, because the school board was unable to void his three-year contract. Instead, the board put Alfonso on a paid leave from March 2024 through April 2025, at which point he officially resigned.

(Alfonso was attempting to lead Secaucus on a very controversial redistricting, but that is not why the Board voted him out. Earlier this year, Mayor Mike Gonnelli said of the BOE axing Alfonso: "They had no reason to get rid of him." Gonnelli also said the way the Board handled it was "totally ridiculous and a waste of taxpayer money," and he was "very disappointed in the Board of Education members.")

Once Toback takes over as the head of the district next Wednesday, Voorhees will go back to his longtime job as Secaucus High School athletic director.

Prior: Secaucus Paid Superintendent $183,977 For Year Of Not Working (Feb. 2025)

Charlie Voorhees Named Acting Secaucus School Superintendent (April 2024)