Ventnor Educational Community Complex
VENTNOR – The Board of Education Wednesday, Jan. 22 heard a presentation from its superintendent search consultant encouraging residents to inform the district of the qualities they seek in their new educational leader.
Gary P. McCartney of GPM Educational Consulting Services said the search is underway and his firm has received more than a dozen applications. He expects to have as many as 25 by the deadline to apply on Feb. 7.
“We created an online survey in English and Spanish for the public to share their insights,” he said.
Data collected will be analyzed and reflected in the questions asked of the applicants, he said.
GPM will meet with the board’s search committee to review applications to review applications.
“The board will decide those worthy of first round interviews,” he said.
McCartney said it is likely the board’s committee will meet several times to interview three candidates per night.
“We will debrief after each meeting to determine who should come back for a second round of interviews,” he explained.
The board committee will determine the finalists before working with its attorney to develop a contract, which must be approved by the Atlantic County superintendent of schools.
“Unless there are snags in the process, you could hire a superintendent at your meeting on March 4,” he said.
Superintendents are required to provide their boards of education with 120 days notice of their intent to leave a district, while other administrators may require 60-90 days notice, he said.
During the meeting, the board accepted Superintendent Eileen Johnson’s resignation, effective June 30.
In her letter to the board, Johnson said she was grateful to play a small role in shaping the city’s future and that the district should be recognized for its “uniqueness.”
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have served the Ventnor community for the past 16 years. My greatest pride during this time has been watching the students that have walked through our doors remain kind and caring children throughout their elementary and middle school years,” Johnson said. “We are Ventnor – and no one can ever compete with what we offer our children on so many levels.”
McCartney said his firm advertised the position in The Star Ledger and through his contacts as former president of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
According to Business Administrator Terri Nowotny, the district received five proposals from superintendent search companies ranging from $4,000 to $17,200. McCartney’s firm was awarded a $15,000 contract on Dec. 19, 2019 to perform the search.
McCartney was a superintendent for 30 years and was appointed by the governor to serve as monitor of the Atlantic City School District from 2015-2016.
The advertisement said the district is seeking “a results-oriented, visionary educational leader” for the 700-student K-8 district with a budget of $20 million.
“We need to get people to think about participating in the survey. If the schools belong to the community they serve, this is an opportunity for citizens to tell us what they want,” he said.
The survey can be found at www.veccnj.org/Common/News2/HomePagePopUps/Default.asp?ItemID=103868&ISrc=District&Itype=News
McCartney also said residents and teaching staff should share information about the superintendent opening with their contacts. A flyer about the opening will be sent home to parents.
Applicants must possess NJ School Administrator Certification.
Completed applications can be sent to gmccartney3730@gmail.com. Applications should not be sent to the school, he said.
In other business, the board appointed Frank O. Ferrara as a full-time physical education and health teacher. He is a 2017 graduate of Kean University with a BS in physical education. He has worked at Principal Academy Charter School since January 2018 and was a paraprofessional at Freehold Township High School. Ferrara has volunteered as a baseball coach, CCD teacher and firefighter.
