School District Must Choose Next Leader

The Wyckoff Board of Education is debating how to handle the search for a new superintendent after accepting the retirement of Dr. Janet Razze.

Board President Anthony Robert Francin said today that the board has not yet made a decision on how to handle the vacancy but discussed the issue for the first time among the full membership in an executive session Monday night.

"It's arguably the most important decision we can make," Francin said. "It will take some time."

The board unanimously accepted Razze's retirement, effective July 1, during its public session Monday. With the move, the superintendent has chosen to end her three-year tenure rather than extend her contract, as offered by the prior school board.

However, Razze hasn't been present in the district since early April, when the board voted to grant medical leave following surgery. Her post has been filled on an "acting" basis this spring by Richard Kuder, the principal of Eisenhower Middle School.

Kuder, who has significant support among many parents for the top district role, said today that "of course I'm interested (in the permanent post). It's a great district with so much educationally possible."

The nine-year veteran of the district also was a candidate for the superintendent's spot three years ago, when the board hired Razze. Should he not be chosen as Razze's successor, he said he'd be "proud" to return to his post at Eisenhower.

Kuder could be back in the principal's seat by July 1, unless the board acts to extend his tenure on an interim basis before hiring a permanent superintendent. Francin said the "board would consider" Kuder for the interim role, and he would like to continue his current job responsibilities.

While the school board could theoretically offer Kuder a contract without a broad search, indications are that the board will cast a wider net in an effort to "do it right," Francin said.

The board could conduct such a search itself, hire an outside firm, or contract with the New Jersey School Boards Association for a $6,500 fee.

Should the board choose the latter option, the NJSBA would "facilitate the process" in a search for a new leader, according to Paul Breda, a representative who was present at the board's Monday meeting.

"It's your search; I don't make decisions," Breda said.

The NJSBA would solicit interest based on specific Wyckoff criteria and then present candidates for the board to review. The process would include a community meeting without board members present, as well as a meeting with district staff to see what both groups want in a leader.

While contracting with the NJSBA would eliminate the need for the board to advertise and solicit candidates itself, it would be time consuming.

"You're not going to make the September deadline," Breda said. "You're not going to have a new superintendent by September.

"It's realistic for you to have a superintendent installed here by December," Breda told the board.

Should the NJSBA be asked to help, the organization would hold the meetings for community and staff input within a month while also posting advertisements in the Star-Ledger. The NJSBA would set an early July deadline for applicants, who would be forwarded to the board for consideration. Assuming the search turns up candidates the board is interested in, those potential leaders could be interviewed in late summer, with finalists emerging early in the school year, Breda said.

"We're going to find you the right superintendent," Breda said.

The board, absent the majority of the current membership, utilized the NJSBA during the search that led to Razze's hiring.

The former superintendent had been offered a contract extension earlier this year, according to former board members, but declined in a letter dated April 30 for "personal reasons."

Razze thanked the board for the opportunity to extend her tenure and wrote that it "was an honor and privilege to work with the Wyckoff educational community."

Razze listed many initiatives as accomplishments over the past three years, including the "completion of major additions to five school buildings. Everyone... deserves my gratitude for their patience with the project. The result was beautiful and functional schools that will benefit the children and community for generations."

Her letter continues: "Working together we had many other accomplishments, including, but not limited to the: monumental task of passing the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum with flying colors; literacy initiatives, both reading and now writing; other curriculum revisions and reviews such as world languages, preschool, science and technology; FLOW math curriculum review; revisions and updates of all board policies and regulations; revisions of the teacher, administrative and non-affiliate evaluation tools; creation of the job description manual; introduction to professional learning communities for administrators and now staff; making access to more Web-based programs such as Genesis; strengthening the FLOW district initiatives; offering continuous group professional development to the Administrative Council for the first time; and so much more."

Razze thanked the teachers and support staff for their work and wished the district well in dealing with funding challenges while praising the board for "brave fiscal foresight." Her letter acknowleges the contributions of the PTOs, Wyckoff Education Foundation and other volunteer groups who are "making a difference for the children of Wyckoff."

Razze concludes by wishing the "children of Wyckoff the very best in their future endeavors, and I know they are being provided with a wonderful educational foundation."