New Lacey Superintendent Eager To Get Started

There will be a new face in the Lacey Township superintendent's office on July 1, when Craig Wigley replaces current superintendent Sandra Anthony.

The Lacey Township Board of Education unanimously approved Wigley for the top position in the district a a special board meeting held on March 16. He will be paid $155,000 per year.

"While many applicants were evaluated and considered, the board unanimously felt that Craig possessed the most well-rounded skill set necessary to guide our district toward success," Board President Linda Downing said.

Wigley holds a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Rider Univerity and a bachelor's degree in technology education from the College of New Jersey.

"I look forward to leading a K-12 district with the demographics and deep infrastructure that exists in Lacey," he said in a district release."I am eager to learn more about the culture and traditions of Lacey and to become a true partner with the valued stakeholders across the community."

Wigley's most recent assignment was director of secondary education for the Hamilton Township school district, where he oversaw three middle schools and three high schools with a population over over $6,500 and an annual budget of more than $80 million.

He also served as the district’s Harassment Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) and School Safety coordinator for the 12,000 students enrolled in Hamilton Township

Wigley previously served as Assistant Principal at Rancocas Valley Regional High School, Principal at Northern Burlington County Regional High School and in Hamilton Township.

"You will find I am highly involved in student life, approachable, and a good listener," he said. "I will be honest in my feedback to parents, students, school staff, and the community. I assure you I will always have our students’ needs and future success as prepared citizens as my priority in pursuit of excellence in the Lacey School District.”

Downing thanked board members for devoting many hours in the search for a new superintendent.

The board last year authorized spending up $7,500 to conduct a superintendent search to replace current superintendent Sandra Anthony. A previous board in 2014 gave Anthony - who was known as Sandra Brower then - a notice of non-renewal of her contract.

Anthony was suspended without pay in June 2013, after she was indicted by a Monmouth County grand jury and charged with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree hindering apprehension and fourth-degree obstruction during the time she was assistant superintendent in Wall Township.

Anthony was reinstated in February 2014, after the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office dropped all charges. She was entitled to back pay from the time she was suspended. Her contract expires in June

Photo credit: Northern Burlington County Regional school district.