School district names new superintendent
Dr. John Crowe unanimously appointed to new position
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer
A fter a search that board members described as "long and tedious," the Woodbridge Board of Education unanimously voted in favor of appointing Dr. John Crowe as the school district's new superintendent on July 17.

Crowe, former principal at Lynn Crest Elementary School No. 22 in Colonia for more than five years and principal at Iselin Middle School since January, received a standing ovation from the board along with Mayor John E. McCormac and over a dozen staff, faculty and parents from School No. 22, as well as his friends and family.

"I'm looking forward to serving the school district," he said.

Crowe, who starts his new position on Aug. 1, was selected out of a pool of 21 applicants both in and out of district. He replaces Superintendent Vincent Smith, who left on July 1 for a superintendent position in Point Pleasant Borough. Smith served as superintendent for sixplus years and as the school district's business administrator for 11 years.

Angela Korodan, director of personnel services, had been serving as acting superintendent since July 1.

The board, in naming Crowe as superintendent, approved a five-year appointment (2008-2013) with an annual salary of $180,000.

"I was sitting waiting for the board's decision when it started raining, lightning, and then a [clap] of thunder shook the window that I was sitting feet away from," Crowe said of the brief downpour during the Board of Education meeting. "I was wondering if that was an omen, and thanking the bond referendum for the strong windows."

Crowe's comment brought laughter to the crowd.

"As I was working on my doctoral degree, this [position] is what I was working toward," he said. "I am energized, eager and, most importantly, honored to become superintendent. To have the [parents, staff, and faculty] of Lynn Crest School No. 22 here reminds me of the fact of a school district working successfully together, not only when I was principal but also as a staff member."

The school board started its superintendent search in May. Board Chairman Brian Molnar appointed board members Diane Acquisto, Judy Leidner and George Yuhasz to the superintendent committee, which held nine meetings on the issue. The selection process was aided by a public meeting on May 8, where residents gave their input on the matter. Residents also weighed in with an online survey, with over 300 respondents.

Parents stressed to the board that they would like to see a doctoral degree as a mandatory criterion for the new superintendent, as well as classroom experience. In February 2001, when Kenneth Kuchtyak became superintendent, the wording in the job description for the superintendent was changed from mandatory doctorate degree to preferred doctorate degree.

Judy Leidner, chairwoman of the superintendent committee, wrote in a letter she posted on the school's Web site on July 15 that the board listed "doctorate required" as one of the criteria they looked at during the search.

Crowe brings more than 13 years of experience in education, curriculum development, advanced teaching, and school administration as principal and teacher in the Woodbridge Township School District.

He has served as principal at Iselin Middle School, principal at Lynn Crest School No. 22, social studies staff area leader, and as a general education teacher in social studies, mathematics, and core curriculum in the township school district.

Crowe received a Doctor of Education in educational leadership, management and policy in 2006, a Master of Arts in elementary education in 1995, and a Bachelor of Arts in vocal music in 1991, all from Seton Hall University.

He maintains New Jersey State certification of eligibility for school administration and New Jersey State permanent certifications for standard elementary education (K-8) and as principal and supervisor.

Crowe, who grew up in the township and graduated from Woodbridge High School, said he looks forward to working to bring the 24 schools to 100 percent proficiency in grade-level curriculum, including state tests scores and making the school district a No Child Left Behind school district.

Mayor McCormac said he is looking forward to working with the new superintendent on collaborative efforts between the township and the school district.

"The only thing that is going to be difficult is now I have to bring a dictionary when I come hear [Dr. Crowe] talk," he said.

The mayor's comment brought laughter to the crowd.

Crowe takes the reins of a school district that is one of the largest in the state, providing leadership and advanced curricula to more than 13,400 students attending classes in 24 elementary, middle and high schools.

The mission of the school district remains committed to providing a learning environment that fosters interdependence, embraces change, and values diversity by providing an exceptional educational experience, according to the school district's Web site.