West Morris Regional High School Chief Resigns, Takes Same Spot in Morristown

Less than three years after stepping into the top spot at West Morris Regional High School District, superintendent Mackey Pendergrast, a Mendham High School alum, has been hired to the same position for the Morris School District.

The Morris School District, which oversees all grades in kindergarten through 12 in Morristown, along with Morristown High School, which includes students from both Morristown and Morris Township, has an enrollment of 5,700 students. The West Morris Regional School District, with grades nine through 12 in West Morris Central and Mendham high schools, has an enrollment of approximately 2,800 students.

Pendergrast will stay on with West Morris Regional through June 30, and begin with Morris School District on July 1 of this year. He will earn a salary of $165,000, up from his current salary of $155,000. Pendergrast was under contract with the district until 2018, and has been employed there for 15 years. He was hired to the top administrator post in March 2012, succeeding Anthony diBattista.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” Pendergrast told Patch shortly after the Morris School District Board of Education made its approval vote. “I’m eager to be engaged with a larger school district and have the opportunity to make a positive influence on the kids.

“I’m sad to say goodbye to West Morris Regional,” Pendergrast continued. “But I’m very proud of the relationships and partnerships we’ve made here.”

State and national rankings for both Mendham and Central rose during Pendergrast’s tenure, while he implemented extensive writing curricula across all classes and expanded Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes.

“Mr. Pendergrast’s leadership has been instrumental in the recent accomplishments of the district,” board president Gary Lakritz told Patch Monday night.

In a joint letter to the community, the regional board stated, “Change is never easy, but the Board of Education looks forward to the opportunity that this change provides. We know that the hiring of a superintendent is the single most important job of the Board. Our focus will be to find a superintendent who shares the vision and goals of our community.”

Pendergrast announced his resignation in a letter to the community Monday night, finishing by saying, “Although I am leaving my position within the school district, as a resident and parent, I look forward to involvement and continuing participation in a community dialogue focused on providing the best possible educational experience for all of our children.”

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