After 21 Years, Superintendent Steps Down

When Richard Starodub took the position as the Superintendent of the Lacey Township School District, he told the Board of Education to let him know when it was his time to go.

Twenty-one years later, it is time, he said.

Although the school board never told him it was time, Starodub’s retirement was noted at the last school board meeting and his final day is slated for Sept. 1.

“I knew it was coming. I had given the board notice that if everything went okay with the budget, we would move ahead on this date,” Starodub said.

Starodub would have left earlier, he said. But with cuts in state aid, the school district was put in a difficult situation, leading him to believe it was not a good time.

“I think things are stable right now. We could move ahead,” Starodub said.

Starodub worked his way up the ladder, beginning his career as a social studies teacher, then a guidance counselor, and a vice principal.

Starodub came to Lacey in 1979 as a Planning Principal for the new middle school, eventually becoming assistant superintendent and finally superintendent.

“It’s been really good. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned it’s really important to work with people,” Starodub said.

Before Starodub originally took the position, he was Assistant Superintendent in an acting capacity. The board was looking for a candidate after the former superintendent left after a couple of years.

The board at the time was not satisfied with the candidates and had approached him for the position, Starodub said.

Accomplishments

The board had suffered four consecutive budget defeats, which was the first area Starodub along with the board had to work on.

“I think “we” is a very powerful word here. We’ve done a lot. We’ve turned that budget cycle around,” Starodub said.

“I emphasize the word "we" because the number one thing you have to do as a superintendent is become part of “we” because a superintendent should not be the center of the universe,” Starodub said. “The children should always be the center of the universe and the board, superintendent, and the administration should be meeting all of their needs.”

Since Starodub became superintendent, 23 budgets have passed and only eight were defeated.

Altering the perception of the community about the schools and the budgets has been one of Starodub’s major challenges.

“There’s always a number of people who will vote no and find reasons. People will always say you’re spending too much,” Starodub said.

The expansion of the high school to meet the needs of the growing population was another accomplishment by the school board during his tenure, he said.

“We did it by letting the public know what the need was. We always had a sense of openness in terms of what we needed and why,” Starodub said.

When the board issued the referendum for the high school’s expansion in 2000, the public was told if they did not move forward on the addition, they would have to resort to split sessions. The project came in on time, on budget, and without litigation, Starodub said.

The energy efficiency initiative was also implemented during his time.

Starodub pushed for the energy efficiency initiative in 2008, School Board President Jack Martenak said. Starodub proposed structuring the project so that the school district would save money on electric bills as well as generate revenue and provide funding for a boiler and window replacements, all of which could not have been covered under the budget.

“He was spot on and not only did the project turn out to be wildly successful, but we were one of the first districts to do this and others are now trying to emulate our success,” Martenak said.

Starodub noted the teamwork that went into making decisions.

“One of the highlights I think is the ability to be part of a dynamic situation and getting people to work together toward the common goal,” Starodub said.

With the focus on the children, Starodub said it has been important to include the community and partner with the parents.

“I want to emphasize again, no superintendent accomplishes anything by themselves. You have to become part of the system. Your job is to make sure everything that can happen, happens. You’re actually a catalyst to try to get everyone to work together,” Starodub said.

“What have I accomplished by myself, nothing. What have I accomplished as part of the system? Students who become accomplished. If we accomplished anything, it’s through the success of our students,” he said.

Starodub said the school district only takes part of the credit but the parents are primarily responsible for the student’s achievements.

Informal discussions are one of the things Starodub will miss most, he said.

“You miss the people you work with. I like to think I work with everybody. I enjoy talking with all of our staff. I think there’s people often share great ideas with you because they want to make Lacey a better place,” Starodub said.

Starodub said that he will also miss the challenge of solving problems and “management by walking around.”

“I always believe if you’re having a bad day, one of things is always uplifting is going to the schools and watching what the students are doing and even interacting with the students a little bit because they can make it all worthwhile for you,” Starodub said.

Remembering Starodub

Assistant Superintendent Vanessa Clark has worked with Starodub for a total of six years and is most impressed by Starodub’s time in the Lacey Township School District.

Recent research says the turnover rate for superintendent’s is 2.5 years, Clark said.

“With that said, the highlight of working with Mr. Starodub is appreciating the long educational history of the Lacey Township School District from his perspective,” Clark said.

In Clark’s eyes, Starodub will be remembered for his ability to maintain a cordial and workable relationship with the members of the Board of Education, passing budgets, finding a variety of ways to offer faculty and staff members commendations, and for always putting kids first.

“Mr. Starodub always puts kids first. There are many facets to his job as Superintendent and though he tackles each of those effectively, he never forgets that our goal as educators, whether we teach or lead, is that the students come first,” Clark said.

Martenak agreed “it was never about him,” he said acknowledging that Starodub always put the students first.

Starodub has earned the respect and trust of the staff and does not take that for granted, Martenak said.

“It has led to a positive school environment for both staff and students, and it has benefited the district in both tangible and intangible ways,” Martenak said.

Starodub’s accessibility to parents, staff, students, and the community has also benefited the school district, Martenak said.

“This is rare for a Superintendent these days. This accessibility contributes to the great community support for our schools,” Martenak said.

Martenak also said Starodub’s calm demeanor and willingness to listen will be missed.

“I would like to thank Mr. Starodub for his service. I spent 13 years in this district. I believe I received a great education,” Committeeman Sean Sharkey said during a township caucus meeting.

Mayor Gary Quinn worked with Starodub when he served on the School Board for several years.

“I got to tell you, he is a gentleman that serves and puts his heart and soul into what he does. The years I was there, I couldn’t have asked for a better superintendent to work with,” Quinn said. “He takes everything to heart and puts 150 percent into everything he does. I think it’s going to be difficult for the school board to try and go out and find someone capable of filling his shoes.”

What Is Ahead

Starodub’s plans for retirement do not go past the four months of work ahead of him, he said. Staffing is the major task at hand.

“Good staffing is the key to a successful school district,” Starodub said. “We have a lot of work cut out for us because a lot of the training when graduates come out from college, they get from us."

Administration is currently exploring updating their bullying policy for when the new law goes into effect, which will initiate new training.

As for the search for a new superintendent, the School Board is paying the New Jersey School Board Association $4,500.

Typically a search agency will charge $7,500 to $10,000, Starodub said. Because the school board is a member of the NJSBA, the service was offered at a reduced rate.

The NJSBA will primarily be responsible for collecting applications and documents as well as conducting credential and background checks and dealing with verification and references. But the interviews and decision are ultimately up to the School Board.

Martenak said hiring a new superintendent is complex and the most important decision a school board can make.

“I think the board made a wise decision by getting assistance because it’s not something boards routinely do and they haven’t done it here in 21 years,” Starodub said. “They’re familiar with the process Their familiar with the successes other boards have made and they’re familiar with the failures. And I can tell you our board does not want to fail.”

As for internal promotions, Starodub could not say if any current school district employees would be applying for the position. If an internal employee were looking to apply for the position, they would follow the same procedures as any applicant.

Martenak expects Clark to apply for the position and said she will be a very strong candidate.