Schools

New Super Appointed to Lacey Township School District

Dr. Sandra Brower, Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Wall Township, will begin her term Dec. 1 or sooner

The school board appointed Dr. Sandra Brower, Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Wall Township, as the new Lacey Superintendent today during a special meeting.

“We are extremely pleased with the selection of Dr. Brower as the new chief school administrator for Lacey Township Public Schools,” school board President Jack Martenak said.

Brower has more than 22 years of experience in public education as she previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Freehold Township, a principal, business administrator and a language arts teacher at the middle school level in Point Pleasant.

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The board began their search for a new superintendent after , announced his retirement in May. There were 31 inquiries about the position and 17 submitted applications, Martenak said.

After an extensive process of reviewing resumes, screening candidates and conducting first-, second- and third-round interviews, the board deemed Brower as the most qualified, he said.

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“We had several excellent candidates, but in the end Dr. Brower inspired the board with her level of commitment to student achievement,” Martenak said. “As a candidate, she familiarized herself with the community and our schools, and even attended a Forked River Rotary Club event with her family.”

Brower’s term is set to begin Dec. 1 or sooner. Her start date is contingent on when she is able secure release from her current position.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the Lacey Township School District as the next superintendent, and I am so very excited to be here,” Brower said. “While you were looking for a school district leader, I was looking for a place to call home.”

Brower began the process of applying as superintendent after reading a job advertisement during the summer. After researching the school district and speaking with various people, she found that the community was dedicated to the kids, she said.

“I was looking for a district that was focused on students first and students always,” Brower said. “I couldn’t be prouder to have my first superintendence here in Lacey.”

Her passion is service learning, program development for students with special needs and raising student achievement goals, she said.

“All school leaders must never waiver in the belief that the students will never be more accountable than the adults that work with them. That means accountable to our students, that means accountable to our teachers, to our community, to the public and moreover to ourselves,” Brower said of her vision.

If the school district is not improving every day, then they’re doing something wrong, she said.

“It’s about rigor, it’s going to be about relevance and it’s going to be about strengthening relationships,” Brower said.

Over the next few weeks, Brower will be unveiling her transition plan to the Board of Education, she said. The plan will include a transition team as well as meeting, planning and engaging with students, faculty, staff and community leaders.

“I am not going to be able to hit the ground running but I am committed to hit the ground learning,” Brower said. “My transition plan will be grounded in community conversations.”

Her plan will be available on the school district website along with a superintendent’s blog, she said.

“They’ll be able to follow and track the work that we’re doing,” Brower said.

The school board emphasized that with Brower’s vision and credentials, the district is positioned well to move forward.

“The energy that you bring is something that is going to be very valuable to you here in Lacey because you’re going to need it,” Vice President Eric Schubiger said. “We have a good rich tradition of education in Lacey Township and we’re expecting you to take us to even greater heights. You have a big mission but as we all said, we think you’re the one to do it.”

Martenak said the appointment is only the beginning of the process. Next week board members will be attending sessions with the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) on transitioning with a new superintendent. Brower will also be attending a workshop on being a new superintendent.

The NJSBA will also facilitate a session with the school board and Brower to discuss goals, operation and transition, Martenak said.

With Starodub’s tenure ending on Oct. 31, the school board will have to appoint someone to cover the superintendent’s duties until Brower begins.

Brower resides in Monmouth County with her husband where they are raising their 13-year-old son. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Education and a Masters in Administration Supervision and Curriculum Planning from Georgian Court University, as well as a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.


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