New Cranford Superintendent Gives Update On Projects, Staffing

CRANFORD, NJ — The new leader of Cranford Public Schools shared updates surrounding different projects and goals within the district through an online video earlier this month.

Mark Cantagallo, former Principal at Cranford High School, assumed the new role on Jan. 1, after the retirement of Dr. Scott Rubin at the end of 2025.

The Cranford Public Schools system, he said, is progressing with no major roadblocks in year three of five in its strategic plan to build community relations, use data, and more.

Beginning in September, the district will offer full-day kindergarten, for which Cantagallo said construction is on time to accommodate the additions being done to different buildings.

"It will be a historic moment for the community," Cantagallo added.

RELATED COVERAGE: Cranford School Registration Details For K-12: What You Need To Know

Students and parents continue to navigate a number of adjustments to transportation schedules and routes this school year as construction moves forward on enhancements approved in a Jan. 2024 bond referendum.

When addressing the current state of staff in the district, Cantagallo said things are "pretty status quo," but that they are always looking to review retention efforts.

"Over the second half of my tenure as the high school principal, we were attracting a lot more teachers from other districts because they had heard about all of the positive things going on in Cranford Schools," said Cantagallo.

This includes veteran teachers who were making more money in other locations, he added, because they cared about the culture that they could be a part of in the Township.

"One of my big principles of leadership...is to try to improve every single day on one small thing," Cantagallo said as to what he feels educators see as an attractive quality for joining the staff.

Cantagallo served in his role as Cranford High School Principal for nine years before being appointed to replace Dr. Scott Rubin, who retired at the end of a nearly 30-year tenure in 2025. READ MORE: Cranford Schools Name New Superintendent

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR NEWS TO SHARE? Contact Editor Eddie Callahan at edward.callahan@patch.com to connect with Patch in your area.