Morris Plains Schools Searching for a Leader

After bringing on three interim superintendents, the Morris Plains Board of Education is committed to hiring a permanent chief school administrator, members said.

Board President Lee Connor said at a recent board of education meeting she would form a search committee at the next board personnel subcommittee meeting.

Dr. Ernest Palestis has a one-year contract with the option for a one-year renewal. He started in the district in August.

Palestis succeeded previous interim superintendent Dennis Mack, who left Aug. 15. Mack replaced Fred Ferrone, also an interim superintendent.

Board member Terri Kaag said the district has had “fabulous interims,” but it is time to find a permanent leader.

Before Palestis joined the district, Connor said the board would form a committee for strategic planning in the district. “We don’t want to go from interim superintendent to interim superintendent. We will eventually have to find a permanent replacement, but we will have to discuss how that position will be structured,” she said at the time.

In an email, Connor said the board will “in cooperation with key stakeholders in the community, be conducting a search for the best person to lead our high-performing district.” To that end, the strategic planning committee will be made up of school employees, representatives of the community and alumni of the school district. The board is going to work with the alumni association of Morristown High School to track graduates who went to Morris Plains public schools. They will also seek interested high school students from Morris Plains.

Connor also said, “in the meantime, we are grateful to have the experience and leadership of. . .Palestis.” Because Palestis also serves as supervisor of the district’s child study team, he is serving in two positions for one salary, Connor said.

Palestis had similar good things to say about the borough. He said he is receiving “tremendous support from parents and the mayor and council” as well as the school. “I am impressed with the staff and we have top-notch students. They are courteous and enjoy learning.”

Palestis has been a superintendent since 1989 in both elementary and high school districts, including Mine Hill, Wharton and Morris Hills Regional.

He said the state School Boards Association will send a facilitator to help the district. That person will want feedback from the planning committee.

“I’m not sure what goals the committee will identify, but we will keep citizens informed,” he said.

Morris Plains is not the only district looking for a superintendent. Turnover has increased steadily since the 2006-07 school year. Early in his term as governor, Chris Christie imposed limits on superintendent salaries of $120,000 a year for districts with fewer than 250 students and $175,000 for larger districts. Superintendents may also receive a stipend if they serve as a building principal, according to the School Boards Association web site.

Marie Bilik, executive director of the School Boards Association said in a press release “the superintendent is the educational leader who runs the district on a day-to-day basis and is in charge of implementing the board’s goals and objectives. It is difficult to achieve the educational reform that you want when there’s a revolving door in the main office.”