Public's Input Sought in Moorestown Superintendent Search

Residents of the Moorestown School District who want to contribute their two cents to the district’s search for a new superintendent will be given two ways to do it.

On Friday, a survey—developed by with input from the school board—will be put up on the district’s website and will also be available in email and hard-copy form at the .

Superintendent search committee chair Matt Simeone said the comprehensive survey will include a combination of “preference questions and open-ended questions.”

West Hudson will also host a two-hour public forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at as a further means to solicit opinions from the community to aid in the search.

“We’re an elected body. We serve at the pleasure of the citizens and our constituents,” said Simeone. “It’s our job to make sure their voice is heard in the process … We’re trying very hard to get the maximum amount of outreach.”

Simeone said the district will aim to finish collecting surveys by Dec. 2 so it can use the data in them to inform the public meeting.

Superintendent John Bach will end his five-year tenure as superintendent at the end of the 2012 school year. Simeone said replacing him would be a “significant challenge. Think of him as the chief executive.”

Bach is resigning as a result of the imposed by Gov. Chris Christie, which restricts superintendents from earning more than the governor’s salary of $175,000.

According to Simeone, a search for a new superintendent is usually a six- to eight-month process.