The Field of Candidates for Gloucester City Superintendent of School Narrowed Down to Two
By: John P. Schmidt
NEWS Correspondent
With the summer upon us, it is that time of year for many people to take vacations and relax. However the men and woman on the Gloucester City Board of Education (BOE) have been hard at work interviewing candidates to become the next Superintendent of Gloucester City Schools.
Dr.Stanky will be leaving the District on December 31 this year after many years which were of both successful and controversial. Early in her tenure the local teachers union voted "No Confidence" in her ability to lead the District and presented this vote to the BOE. While under Dr. Stansky's watch the Cold Springs Early Childhood Center and the new additions to the High School were completed. But Dr. Stansky's failure to effectively relate to the community will always be the Bar by which she will be judged.
The search for the new Superintendent by the BOE started when the BOE narrowed the search down to nine from nearly 17 applicants. The Board spent several nights interviewing the nine candidates for the job. The nine candidates included six superintendents, one assistant superintendent, a curriculum director, and a principal. Each board member was allowed to ask each candidate the same one prepared question.
After the first round of interviews the field was narrowed to four. The four candidates who were asked to come back for a second interview were; Michael G. Kosak (Clementon School District Supt.), Liz Kurry (Director of Curriculum in Gloucester City), Paul A. Spaventa (Mt. Holly School District Supt.), and Jack Don (Principal, Gloucester City High School).
From the field of four candidates the BOE narrowed it down to two candidates, Paul A. Spaventa, and Jack Don.
The format in the second round was similar to the first, in that each board member was allowed to ask one prepared question. However, the questions were more in dept, and many board members had follow up questions.
Questions included how the candidates would interact with the community, how they would deal with low performing teachers, and how to deal with a possibility of shared services between Gloucester City, and Brooklawn.
In response to a question asked by Board Member Kimberly Waddington of how the candidate would interact to the community, and their feelings about it Mr. Spaventa said, "It is important to reach out; with the council, the mayor and the community, along with attending town functions like Beef and Beer's and parades."
In an answer to one of the questions Mr. Don expressed his desire that both the students and maybe the community could utilize the new Media Center at the High School more. He mentioned how it closes at 3:00 and the students are then kicked out. He would like it to stay open later. He also mentioned his hope that the school district consider virtual classrooms, in which through the internet students with the guidance of an instructor would be enabled to work on advanced courses.
One question asked by Board Member Patrick Hagan was about how the candidates would implement a plan in case of a disaster or an emergency situation. In one response Jack Don mentioned how the schools need to be prepared for everything because Gloucester City is on the river, near train tracks, and Rt. 130.
The Board of Education will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday July 17th. It is expected the name of the new superintendent will be announced at that time.
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