Dover schools launch search for new superintendent. Here's how you can weigh in
The Dover School District is engaging the public to help them pick a new superintendent for the 2024-25 school year.
Board of Education President Daniella Mendez has posted online surveys in English and Spanish to solicit opinions from residents about the current state of the district, what they see as the top priorities and the qualities they are looking for in the school system's next leader. The survey will conclude on April 24.
Dover board schedules special meeting for Saturday
With the retirement of current Superintendent James McLaughlin coming on June 30, the board also will convene in a special meeting on Saturday to interview potential interim superintendents for the coming year. The interviews will be conducted in a closed executive session, and no formal action will be taken at the meeting, which begins at 8:45 a.m.
McLaughlin, who came to Dover from the Rockaway Township district in 2019, announced his retirement to the board at its Jan. 23 meeting. Prior to Rockaway Township, he served in the same role for the West Milford and North Plainfield districts.
"This is my 38th year in education and I can truly say I was glad to be able to conclude that time here in Dover," McLaughlin said at the meeting. "It's a very special community. It has been and continues to be a privilege with the students, families and staff here."
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Pressing needs for more space
The district serves more than 3,600 students in its high school, middle school and three elementary schools. Students from neighboring Victory Gardens also attend Dover Schools. Middle school and high school students from another neighbor, Mine Hill, do so as well.
The new superintendent will need to address pressing needs in the district after residents voted down a $69.3 million referendum in 2022. That project would have included construction of a new middle school and an expansion of the high school.
"Enrollment has been higher than capacity for years, and has continued to rise each month since November 2020," the district stated prior to the 2022 vote. "Already some music and speech lessons are held in hallways and some offices have been converted for teaching. Some classes have as many as 30 students, and that number is higher than the ideal scenario."
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com
Twitter: @wwesthoven
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Dover NJ schools launch search for new superintendent with survey
