BY LINDA SMITH HANCHARICK
WEST MILFORD — West Milford’s Superintendent of schools James McLaughlin, Ed.D, resigned just days before the start of this school year. The effective date is six months before his contract with West Milford ends on June 30, 2015. The school board will meet on Sept. 16 and discuss how to proceed with a search for a new superintendent in executive session, according to Barbara Francisco, the district’s business administrator.
McLaughlin accepted a position as superintendent of the North Plainfield School District, which is located in Somerset County. He will remain in the West Milford district until Dec. 31, 2014.
“The Board has not taken any action regarding Dr. McLaughlin’s resignation,” said Francisco in response to an inquiry by The West Milford Messenger. “The board will discuss how they will proceed with filling his position in executive session on Sept. 16. Until the board has an opportunity to discuss and outline a process to replace Dr. McLaughlin, I have no other information to share.”
McLaughlin said he wouldn’t make a statement before the board met and announced its plans.
“I certainly have nothing but positive thoughts to share about my time in West Milford but I think its most appropriate for me to share those thoughts with you in keeping with the timing of the board’s announcements,” said McLaughlin.
The board has already filled positions on an interim basis for the high school principal and director of Special Services for this upcoming school year.
West Milford Board of Education president Inga Koeppe said she is grateful to have had McLaughlin in the district.
“We are disappointed to lose Dr. McLaughlin as superintendent; however we do understand this opportunity offered to him and wish him all the best,” said Koeppe. “Personally, I am grateful for entrusting Dr. McLaughlin with the responsibility to lead the staff and students of West Milford and, as a result of his initiatives, our district will continue to build upon its success. There are great things still to come for the district.”
Trustee Marilyn Schultz expressed good wishes for McLaughlin but noted the lack of time given to hire a replacement.
“I wish Dr. McLaughlin all the best in his new position as superintendent of the North Plainfield School District, but given the effective date of his resignation is mid-school year, doesn't allow the board ample time for the process of hiring a permanent replacement by then.”
She added, “Decisions on moving forward in the superintendent search process will be made with the best interest of the West Milford School District in mind.”
Donald Sternberg, school business administrator and board secretary for the North Plainfield school district, confirmed that McLaughlin was hired by his district at their meeting on Aug. 27. He said McLaughlin is tentatively scheduled to start in North Plainfield on Jan. 1, 2015. His salary is at the state cap level of $167,500.
McLaughlin has been the head of the West Milford district since July 1, 2012. He came to West Milford after spending 11 years in the Cranford School District, serving as director of special services and assistant superintendent. An interim superintendent preceded him for two years after the resignation of Bernice Colefield, who resigned just days after the 2010 school year began. She served for two years in the position and three years as the district’s director of education prior to that.
McLaughlin had signed a three-year contract with West Milford in 2012, taking him through June 30, 2015 at a salary of $165,500. He also received more than $12,000 in a merit bonus from the district last October for meeting specific merit goals as he began his second year at West Milford.
The West Milford Board of Education posted the following message on its facebook page after McLaughlin resigned: “Dr. McLaughlin, superintendent of the West Milford school district, has recently submitted a letter of resignation to the BOE with a proposed effective date of December 31, 2014. The BOE is reviewing the matter and will be voting on Dr. McLaughlin's resignation during its September meeting.”
The Messenger posted the superintendent’s resignation on its website, where it got nearly 1,000 hits in less than one week. What are your thoughts about the situation? Go to westmilfordmessenger.com and tell us what you think.
- Patricia Keller contributed to the reporting of this story.