The most significant item on the agenda was an update on the search for a new superintendent. With Dr. Kathie Foster serving as interim superintendent until June 30, 2025, the Board is seeking a permanent replacement. Five search firms applied, and the ad hoc superintendent search committee interviewed four of them. It was the unanimous recommendation of the committee to hire School Leadership LLC, a firm based on Long Island with over 20 years of experience in leading superintendent searches for high-performing school districts in the New York metro area. Dr. Martin Brooks and Ms. Reena Bader, both highly respected in their fields, will lead the search. The Board emphasized their familiarity with the Princeton district, which they believe will be beneficial in the search process.

The Board also addressed the community’s concerns regarding the Westminster Choir College property. The proximity of this property to existing school buildings makes it a unique opportunity for expansion. However, after review by legal and architectural professionals, it was determined that the property would be embroiled in litigation for many years. Consequently, the Board decided to continue with their plans for a referendum in early 2025 to expand capacity at the current schools. They stressed that without this timely referendum, other options such as trailers and redistricting would need to be considered to address the pressing capacity needs.

During the public comment section, a community member raised concerns about the Westminster Choir College property and its potential impact on the upcoming referendum. The Board reiterated that the utilization of the Westminster property is unlikely to be settled soon due to ongoing litigation. They reassured the community that the referendum remains the most cost-effective and timely solution to meet the rising enrollment in Princeton schools.

In addition, the meeting included a moment of remembrance for the September 11th anniversary and condolences for the recent school shooting in Georgia.