Editor’s note: 6/7/16, 8:33 p.m.: This article has been updated with quotes from Schneider and Supt. Dr. John Ramos.
South Orange – Maplewood School District Business Administrator Cheryl Schneider is leaving to take a position with the Millburn School District.
Schneider will replace Steven DiGeronimo, who retired, according to an announcement from the Millburn Board of Education on Tuesday. Schneider has been employed by SOMSD since 2005 and has served as Business Administrator since 2010.
The Millburn BOE voted in January to send a $23.59 million proposal for various renovation and expansion projects to the state for aid consideration. Projects include purchasing a building to create a 5th grade “academy,” as well as various other additions and upgrades. Once the state determines a level of aid, the district will put the final amount to a public vote.
“After being a part of the South Orange and Maplewood community both professionally and as a resident, this was a difficult decision,” said Schneider. “It is just the right time in my life to move on to something new. I have enjoyed living in South Orange-Maplewood, raising my three children here and working with such a competent and professional staff. I look forward to hearing about the roll-out of the Strategic Plan and the many initiatives in the works. I have been fortunate to have been a part of the South Orange and Maplewood School District and am grateful for the experience.”
Superintendent John Ramos said: “Ms. Schneider has been an integral part of the SOMSD leadership team over time. She has demonstrated tremendous professional integrity and personal commitment. Her presence, expertise, wisdom and institutional memory will be sorely missed. Still, we wish her every success in her new position.”
“I am very grateful for Ms. Schneider’s unwavering dedication to our school community and diligence in finding ways to maximize our resources and serve the needs of our students in the face of significant budgetary pressures driven by the situation at the State level,” said BOE President Elizabeth Baker. “I wish Ms. Schneider the best of luck and look forward to ongoing collaboration with her in her new role in Millburn. As Board President, I will work closely with Administration to ensure a smooth transition as we move forward.”
Ms. Schneider is scheduled to continue as SOMSD Business Administrator through August 31, 2016, and will help ensure a smooth transition to new leadership, said a district spokeswoman.
Here is the complete announcement from Millburn:
On Monday, June 6, 2016 the Board of Education announced that the district has appointed Ms. Cheryl Schneider as School Business Administrator on or about September 1, 2016. Ms. Schneider will fill the position vacated by Mr. Steven DiGeronimo, who is retiring.
Ms. Schneider comes to Millburn from the South Orange-Maplewood School District, where she has served as Business Administrator/Board Secretary since 2010. As SBA she has been the chief financial administrator responsible for financial accounting, reporting procedures consistent with New Jersey statute, budget preparation, food service, school plant operations, construction and facility planning, transportation and Board of Education procedures. She served as the Assistant Business Administrator/Assistant Board Secretary for the SOMA district, from 2005-2010, having previously worked in the Business office as Business Office manager and Purchasing Secretary.
Ms. Schneider earned her Masters in Governmental Accounting from Rutgers University and a B.S. in Consumer Economics from Cornell University. She holds a New Jersey School Business Administrator Certification and is a New Jersey Qualified Purchasing Agent.
Millburn Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christine Burton, says, “We are pleased to have found such a qualified Business Administrator to take the reigns from the irreplaceable Steve DiGeronimo. With the work ahead of us once the referendum is passed, I am confident that Ms. Schneider has the experience and expertise to oversee the critical construction and renovation projects that we anticipate during the coming year, as well as the day-to-day duties required of the Business Administrator. I look forward to working with her closely for the benefit of the Millburn Schools.”
