Millburn BOE Appoints New Superintendent... Again

For the second time in 60 days, the Millburn School District has a new superintendent.

On Wednesday, the Millburn Board of Education announced the appointment of Christine Burton as the permanent Superintendent of Millburn Schools, effective July 1, 2015.

Burton had been serving as interim superintendent since March 1, and has also served as the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

Board members had announced in May that they approved Robert Zywicki - an educator currently with the High Point Regional School District – for the superintendent position. [See related Patch article]

But Zywicki withdrew his application for the post later that month after “learning in a conversation with Board of Education President John Westfall-Kwong he would not have the full support of the school board,” according to The Item of Millburn-Short Hills.

“Disagreement amongst Millburn Township school board members over their top pick to lead local schools initially appeared to have chased away the prime candidate for the position,” the report stated.

“I would like to thank the Board of Education for this opportunity,” stated Burton. “Having served as president of my own Board of Education, I know how important it is for the superintendent to partner with the board, the district staff and the community to move the district forward in its pursuit of excellence through offering highly engaging and innovative opportunities for all students. I look forward to continuing my work with the board and the educators, parents and students of this outstanding school district.”

“The Board of Education is extremely pleased that Dr. Burton will be taking on the permanent role as Superintendent of Millburn Schools,” stated Board President John Westfall-Kwong.

“With firsthand knowledge of running facets of our district for nearly five years as well as serving as Board President of the Lebanon Borough School District, [she] provides ideal skills to advance educational achievements for our students to the next level. Personally, I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with her for the past few months, and I’m truly impressed by her integrity, vision and leadership.”

BURTON’S QUALIFICATIONS

• Montgomery Township School District - Director of Mathematics
• Lebanon Borough Board of Education - Board President from 2011 to 2015, and Vice President from 2009-2011
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Trenton State College
• Master of Arts degree in Education and her Doctorate in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University

Photo courtesy of Millburn Township Public Schools

Photo caption: Millburn Board of Education President John Westfall-Kwong, left, congratulates new superintendent Christine Burton on her appointment.

Send Millburn news tips and photos to eric.kiefer@patch.com