Moorestown Sets Plan to Replace Superintendent

What is Moorestown looking for in its next superintendent?

"Experienced leadership."

That was Board of Education President Don Mishler's short answer Tuesday after briefly discussing the board's plan to search for an interim superintendent.

The board met in executive session prior to its regular meeting and settled on a plan to replace former superintendent Brian Betze with an interim administrator. Mishler said the decision to seek an interim candidate primarily stemmed from the dearth of full-time candidates on the market—a reality the district faced during its previous search.

"We start from the premise that the pool of talent (for a full-time superintendent) is not large," he said.

He added that the experience level of the interim pool is also a factor. Many interim candidates are retired former superintendents—for whom the state's salary cap does not apply—with many years of administrative experience.

The district last had an interim superintendent, Timothy Brennan, prior to John Bach's hire in 2007.

Mishler said the board will formulate a process for searching for a candidate and possibly even advertise for the position between now and the next board meeting on Oct. 15.

He said the board aims to have a candidate in place no later than Jan. 1, if not much sooner. 

In the meantime, business administrator Lynn Shugars will continue to serve as acting superintendent. Mishler extolled Shugars for the job she's done thus far.

"She's done a wonderful job," he said. "The school district is in good hands."