$157,500 Annually for Incoming Hopatcong Schools Chief

By Michael Daigle

The Board of Education has approved a five-year contract for incoming Superintendent Cynthia Randina, who begins her job Monday.

She will replace Charles Maranzano, who retired after four years at the helm of the 2,000-student district. 

Randina was formerly superintendent of the Secaucus School District.

Board president Clifford Lundin said Randina will be paid $157,500 per year, the maximum salary for a school district Hopatcong’s size. The amount is set by state law.

She sought the Hopatcong post after telling the Secaucus board she was seeking other opportunities after her year contract expired. Previously she served as assistant superintendent and curriculum director for Wayne Public Schools.

She said she has a “passion” for curriculum improvements. When she was  introduced to the public in May, Randina said she understands the desire of the community and school personnel to improve educational results and ranking of the Hopatcong schools. That was the situation in Secaucus, she said, and with the hard work of all in the district, average SAT scores rose 35 points and the school’s state ranking rose from 102 to 90 in three years.

She said she sees the same commitment to improvements and change in Hopatcong, and said she was eager to activate the High School of the Future  task force.

That volunteer group was formed last fall after complaints about the school’s board efforts to make changes in the district, but Lundin said the panel was not activated, awaiting the new superintendent.

Randina said she is looking forward to working with the task force on the issues before the district.

“I’m ready for the challenges,” she said previously. “We will do what will best serve the district.” 

Strategic planning is a key, as is reaching out to administrators, teachers, students and parents.

“The key is to feel connected,” Randina said.

The board also approved a new one-year contract for board secretary  Theresa A. Sierchio. She will be paid $124,443, a 1.95 percent raise.