HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION NAMES DR. ROBERT McGARRY AS DISTRICT'S NEWEST SUPERINTENDENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Hammer, 732.946.1800.

Dr. Robert McGarry, 732.946.1800

HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION NAMES DR. ROBERT McGARRY AS DISTRICT’S NEWEST SUPERINTENDENT

HOLMDEL (May 25, 2016) - The Holmdel Township Public Schools Board of Education has selected Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Robert McGarry of Long Branch to serve as the school district’s newest superintendent, effective July 1, 2016. Dr. McGarry, 50, replaces outgoing school superintendent Barbara Duncan, who is leaving the District after a ten-year tenure.

Dr. McGarry brings 16 years of administrative experience to his new position. Before joining the Holmdel School District, he held leadership roles at Shore Regional High School and within the Montville and East Brunswick school districts. In 2011, he was one of two educators to represent New Jersey as part of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Advisory Committee to the United States Department of Education.

Dr. McGarry is a published author, having written articles for two national journals, Educational Leadership and Kappan, as well as chapters for two books on education. He is a musician and an avid long distance runner, who completed the New York City Marathon along with several half-marathons.

He received his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008.

School Board President Joe Hammer said that Dr. McGarry surfaced as the best candidate to lead the district after the Board conducted an extensive, nationwide search for Ms. Duncan’s successor. A pool of over 60 candidates was whittled down to a group of finalists who participated in three rounds of interviews before the Board made its final choice.

“The entire Board was impressed with Robert’s strategic vision to take our district to new heights. In an incredibly strong field of candidates, Robert’s innovative spirit and proven leadership differentiated him from the rest of the candidates. The Holmdel School District is truly fortunate to have a candidate of his caliber working in the district. His deep knowledge and experience will allow us to avoid the transition period that usually accompanies outside candidates. With the support of the faculty and staff, Robert will be able to hit the ground running on Day One,” said Mr. Hammer.

Dr. McGarry expressed his gratitude to be serving a community with a long history of supporting public education.

“It's rare to find a community that cares about public education as much as Holmdel does, and that raises the bar for everything we have to do. Fortunately, the school district has so many assets that we can build upon - a strong statewide reputation, great teachers and staff, a track record of student achievement and a tradition for innovation,” Dr. McGarry said. “Our next challenge is not to rest on our laurels, but to build upon our strengths as we prepare our students to compete in a quickly evolving global marketplace. I’m looking forward to working closely with all members of this diverse community - to set our academic, athletic, and artistic priorities; to communicate educational activities and progress; and to protect a reputation for excellence that we have worked so hard to obtain.”

Mr. Hammer also praised outgoing Superintendent Duncan for her leadership over the past decade.

“Ms. Duncan joined the District at a time of uncertainty and unrest. Her leadership and her commitment to excellence helped the District regain lost momentum and ensured its place as one of the top achieving school systems in New Jersey and the United States.”

Board voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract for Dr. McGarry.