The Superintendent of Millburn Township’s public schools will leave to lead an out-of-state school district.
Dr. James Crisfield, who has headed Millburn’s schools since 2o1o, will begin his new position in March of 2015, according to an announcement from the Millburn Board of Education.
In a letter released to parents Monday, Crisfield blamed New Jersey’s superintendent salary cap for his decision.
“…there are forces at work in New Jersey that make it very difficult for a ‘mid career’ superintendent to stay in the Garden State without making some rather serious compromises regarding family financial security that nobody with a choice, in any profession, would make willingly,” said Crisfield. “As a result, I have accepted an offer from a district in a nearby state that doesn’t have such an approach to executive leadership in its schools, and I feel fortunate to have found a district that meets the bar Millburn has set in my mind.”
“The Board unanimously wanted to offer Dr. Crisfield another contract,” said BOE President Jeffrey Waters in the announcement. “Unfortunately, the realities of the current salary cap imposed in 2011 have resulted in Millburn being uncompetitive in what we were able to offer.”
Here is the full text of the announcement:
The Board of Education of the Millburn Township Public Schools announces that Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent of Schools, has accepted a position as Superintendent of an out-of-state school district.
Dr. Crisfield, who has been Millburn Superintendent since July 1, 2010, will begin his new position on March 1, 2015. He will remain as Chief School Administrator in Millburn until that time.
Board of Education President Jeffrey Waters said, “While we wish Jim Crisfield well in his new position, the Board is extremely disappointed to see him leave Millburn. The Board unanimously wanted to offer Dr. Crisfield another contract. Unfortunately, the realities of the current salary cap imposed in 2011 have resulted in Millburn being uncompetitive in what we were able to offer. Our loss is certainly his new school district’s gain. His new school district is very lucky to have Jim lead them.”
Waters adds, “Jim Crisfield brought an outstanding style of executive leadership to our school district. He assembled an exceptional senior leadership team and together they have ensured that the Millburn schools have continued with their longstanding tradition of academic excellence. In addition, his focus on character education and citizenship has assured the development of our children as well-rounded citizens.”
At the November 24th Board of Education meeting, the Board will appoint Dr. Christine Burton, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, as Acting Superintendent effective March 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 to assure continuity of administration through the end of the school year.
Also at the November 24th meeting the Board will outline the next steps in the search for a new Chief School Administrator. Board President Jeff Waters will appoint a search committee to begin the process of searching for a permanent Superintendent.
