Holmdel Close to Choosing a New Schools Superintendent

Holmdel, NJ - To the sadness of some, Holmdel Schools Superintendent Barbara Duncan will be leaving at the end of this school year, June 30, 2016, and the Board of Education is currently in the midst of interviewing new candidates to replace her.

"We are currently in the middle of interviews right now for the new superintendent, and the board has not made any decisions yet," board president Joe Hammer said.

However, some candidates have reached the third round of interviews, he added.

"There is a strong pool of candidates from many areas and (we've) reached the third round of interviews with some," Hammer told Patch. "We are working hard to make a decision so that we can have a seamless transition from Barbara Duncan to the new superintendent."

"However, we are not going to rush ... until we find the right person, which may require additional interviews," he said.

The board expects to have a new superintendent in place well before the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

Several board members and Holmdel residents expressed their disappointment and sadness when Duncan announced last June she would not be returning at the end of the 2016 school year.

“I was disappointed to hear that the superintendent has decided not to seek a contract renewal," said Board member Mike Sockol at the time.

“It is shockingly depressing,” said parent Karen Strickland.

Photo: Outgoing Holmdel Schools Superintendent Barbara Duncan.