Superintendent Razze Retiring at End of School Year

The Wyckoff Board of Education will soon have to begin a search for a new leader.

Superintendent Dr. Janet Razze will retire at the end of the school year, when her contract expires, rather than seeking an extension of her employment, which had been discussed by the prior board.

School board President Anthony Robert Francin confirmed that the district has received a letter from Razze that states her intention to end her three-year tenure with the Wyckoff schools when her contract runs out on July 1. The letter was received too late to be acted upon at the board's meeting this past Monday, but will be accepted at the board's next session on June 7.

As such, the letter is not yet available to the public. Razze did not return a call for comment.

While still employed, Razze has been on an indefinite sick leave since April, and has been absent since March following surgery. Speculation on her future has run rampant in recent weeks, after talks to possibly extend her contract by a year or two were left unresolved.

The oft-embattled superintendent has had something of a stormy tenure, with parents and teachers criticizing her leadership at times. The Wyckoff Education Association grew so disenchanted with her tenure that it delivered a no-confidence vote last year, criticizing her communication skills, scheduling changes, several hires, the hiring of private custodians and more.

Wyckoff Education Association President Kathy Bowers wasn't immediately available for comment.

Razze's role has been filled over the past few weeks by Richard Kuder, the principal of Eisenhower Middle School. His tenure as acting superintendent will expire on June 30 although the board can act to extend his interim status while it searches for a new leader.

Francin said the board has not yet formally discussed how to handle the coming vacancy, although there "more than likely will be a search" for a new superintendent. He said the issue will be "priority number one" for the new school board's Personnel Committee in the coming weeks, with the goal of "having someone in place by next year," which "may be difficult to achieve." Francin explained that it's a bit late in the school year to mount a search, as prospective candidates are already being considered by other districts in need of a leader.

Kuder, a nine-year veteran of the district who had been a candidate for the post when Razze was hired, will likely be considered for the role and could have the support of many around the district.

Cynthia Phillips, a parent and the Web coordinator for the Sicomac Elementary School PTO, wishes Razze well with "her health and future" and believes the board would be "extremely well-served if the appointment went to Rich Kuder." She described the acting superintendent as "astute, well-liked and intelligent" and said there would be strong support for his candidacy among parents.

"There's a certain way about him... he genuinely cares and genuinely listens," Phillips said.

Kuder declined comment.

Francin said the successful candidate must be "someone who is able to be a very strong advocate for the district and all its constituencies." The board will have to make sure the "next superintendent will be able to communicate well with everyone."

Were the board to appoint Kuder, it would produce a "domino effect" in the district, Francin said, as moves would have to be made at Eisenhower school, as well. Currently, former assistant principal Stephen Raimo is serving as the acting principal of the middle school, while the supervisor of special projects, Robin Shean, is the acting assistant principal. Both posts are set to expire on June 30.

Razze earns a base salary of $179, 949, according to the 2010-11 budget. She is eligible to cash in a maximum of 90 sick days at $65 per day, post-employment.